Sen. Tim Scott publicly condemned a White House post that included a clip depicting Barack and Michelle Obama with apes’ bodies, calling it "the most racist thing" he has seen from the administration. The video, which circulated alongside baseless 2020 election conspiracy material, drew criticism from across the political spectrum. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the post as an "Internet meme" and dismissed objections as "fake outrage," while also acknowledging the share.
Tim Scott Slams White House Video Portraying the Obamas as Apes: 'Most Racist Thing I've Seen'
Donald Trump and Tim Scott
Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) issued a rare public rebuke of President Donald Trump after the White House shared a video that included a brief clip showing former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama with their faces superimposed on apes’ bodies.
What Was Shared
On Thursday evening the White House posted a clip that circulated alongside baseless conspiracy theories about the 2020 election. The segment included a short sequence that many viewers condemned as racist because it depicted the Obamas in a demeaning, animalized manner.
Reactions And Defense
The post drew swift criticism from Democrats, anti‑Trump Republicans, media commentators and others who called the clip racist. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the share, describing it as an “Internet meme video depicting President Trump as the King of the Jungle” and dismissed objections as “fake outrage.”
“Praying it was fake because it’s the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House. The President should remove it.” — Sen. Tim Scott (R‑S.C.)
Scott, the Senate’s only Black Republican, posted that message on X early Friday. Although some replies to Scott’s post speculated the clip might be doctored, Leavitt’s acknowledgment confirmed the White House had shared the video.
Context
The clip was part of a broader, unfounded narrative tied to 2020 election conspiracy theories. At the time of publication, Scott had not released further comments on the matter.
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