Several MAGA and conservative commentators, including Laura Loomer, posted the entire video, a clip of which Donald Trump shared on his Truth social profile, to defend the president amid the racism controversy. It comes after the White House was forced to remove a racist video depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes.
Barack Obama speaks with Donald Trump ahead of the State Funeral Service for former US President Jimmy Carter (AFP)Trump reposted the clip on Thursday. It made unproven claims that voting machines were ‘rigged’ in battleground states during the 2020 election, which 79-year-old Joe Biden lost. It was the last seconds of the clip that sparked controversy. Photos of the Obamas, depicted as monkeys, have emerged. The song ‘Lion Sleeps Tonight’ played in the background.
Read more: Trump Obama video row: WH pins blame on staff after Tim Scott criticism; ‘taken in’
The White House has defended TrumpTrump was condemned by Democrats and Republicans, including his key ally Tim Scott, the White House issued a statement. Press secretary Carolyn Levitt said: “This is from an internet meme video that portrays President Trump as the king of the jungle and the lion king of the Democrats.”
A White House official said a staffer accidentally published the post late at night. Another added that the president had not seen the video and was upset that it was posted.
“Praying it was fake is the most racist thing I’ve seen out of the White House. The president should take it down,” Tim Scott wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
Read more: Trump’s approval ratings take a beating after racist Obama video; ‘Who is the monkey now?’
“Wow! White House Says Trump Doesn’t Write His Own Tweets??? Autopen!” wrote California Governor Gavin Newsom, a potential 2028 presidential candidate.
Full Lion King Video SurfaceMeanwhile, MAGA commentators have shared the entire video, claiming it also features former President Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Hakeem Jeffries and other Democrats. Trump is portrayed as the Lion King.
“The entire Barack Obama “monkey video” has numerous elected officials, Republicans and Democrats, in lion king-like roles, portraying Trump as the lion and king of the jungle. Funny how this story is not being reported,” one person tweeted.
“Here’s the full video posted on Trumps Truth social account with a 1 second clip of Obama with Lion King music. The clip is about election fraud and this short snippet comes at the very end of the clip. Not sure if it was intentional or whoever posted it didn’t watch the clip until the end,” added another.
