President Donald Trump listens as White House czar Alice Johnson speaks during a Black History Month event in the East Room of the White House on February 18, 2026 | Photo credit: AP
US President Donald Trump hosted a White House reception for Black History Month on Wednesday (Feb 18, 2026), less than two weeks after he sparked bipartisan outrage by posting on social media a racist video depicting former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama as primates in a jungle.
Mr Trump did not address the video on Wednesday, which he removed after widespread backlash, but said he would not apologize for posting it. He didn’t even mention Barack Obama, the nation’s first black president, but talked about other history-making black Americans.
“We celebrate Black History Month. We honor the memory of those who came before us by carrying on their legacy,” he said.
Among his supporters are prominent black Americans, including boxer Mike Tyson, whom Mr. Trump praised for defending him against accusations of racism, and rapper Nicki Minaj, who commented on how long her fingernails were and called them “so beautiful.” Trump name checked.
The Republican president brought several members of his administration to the stage, including Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner and White House pardon czar Alice Marie Johnson.
“As you look at this sea of black Americans, this president listens to you. This president cares about you. Don’t let anyone tell you that this President Donald Trump is not here — not for Black America,” Johnson said. “Because he is.”
Mr. Trump has touted ways his policies benefit black Americans, including the deployment of National Guard troops to “bring back security” in cities with large black populations, such as Washington, New Orleans and Memphis, Tennessee, and legislation he signed last year eliminating federal income taxes on tips. Trump made the list.
Rev. who died on Tuesday. “Scoundrels and lunatics have been falsely and consistently labeled racist by the radical left,” Mr. The reception came a day after Trump made the announcement in another social media post.
In response to a question about the post, White House press secretary Carolyn Leavitt said earlier Wednesday: “This president has done so much for all Americans, regardless of race. And he’s been called an outright racist and smeared.”
Published – February 19, 2026 07:03 am IST
