Obama couple as monkeys, Trump does not apologize for the video: I did not see the whole thing

US President Donald Trump has condemned, but has not apologized for, a video published on his social media account, in which former Democratic President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama appear as monkeys.

The post caused immediate reactions and bipartisan criticism, being described as inhumane and racist towards people of African descent.

The White House initially defended the post on Friday, but deleted it about 12 hours later. The video, about a minute long and shared on Trump’s Truth Social platform on Thursday night, reinforced false claims that his 2020 election loss was the result of fraud. At the end of the video, a short clip, apparently generated by artificial intelligence, was inserted, showing primates dancing with the Obamas’ faces superimposed on them.

On Friday evening, Trump told reporters that he had not seen the entire video before a White House aide posted it to his account.

"I didn't see the whole thing. I saw the first part, which was about election fraud and voting machines. Then I left it to the staff. Usually they see it all. But apparently someone didn't ," he said.

Asked if he condemned the clip, Trump replied: "Of course I do." However, he refused to apologize, adding: "I didn't do anything wrong. I see a thousand things."

Trump's remarks capped a day of conflicting messages from the White House. An administration spokesman initially called the video a "harmless internet meme," while another official later said it had been posted in error and had been removed. It was seen as a rare retreat from a White House that usually unabashedly defends Trump.

Trump, now in his second term, has a long history of spreading racist rhetoric. For years he has promoted the false theory that Barack Obama, president from 2009 to 2017, was not born in the United States.

Happening now...

18:59 SPORT

Barcelona is unstoppable, the Catalans beat Muriqi's Mallorca by three goals and maintain the lead in La Liga

18:50 crossword

Champions League schedule February 7

18:42 SHOWBIZ

Nxorri shifrën që ka marrë për të hyrë në BBVA, Ledion Liço merr këtë vendim ndaj Ilir Vrenozit

18:32 POLITICS

Berisha in Kamëz: You have been discriminated against by the pseudo-president you have for 12 years

18:28 SPORT

Sulm me gurë ndaj Muçit dhe Trabzonspor, klubi turk: Raste të papranueshme, nuk qëndrojmë duarkryq

18:12 BOTA

Pentagoni ndërpret bashkëpunimin akademik me Harvard, akuzon universitetin për “aktivizëm anti-amerikan”

17:55 SPORT

Unusual with the national team player in La Liga! After the protest about the conditions, the match is postponed by the federation for…

17:35 POLITICS

From the political battle to SPAK's request to arrest him, the journalist: What happens to Balluk after his suspension by the Constitutional Court

17:33 BOTA

Serious in Italy, a teenager is found dead, a 20-year-old man is arrested

17:15 BOTA

President Trump: Nexstar-Tegna deal will hit "fake news" of major TV networks

16:54 BOTA

"He's alive!", conspiracy theories about Jeffrey Epstein explode after the release of secret files

16:53 SPORT

Big brawl in Librazhd, serious incidents in the Albanian championship match

Nga Gentian Gaba 16:34 ideas

Ilir Meta, this gypsy of Edi Rama!

Nga Gentian Gaba

16:32 HAPPENING NOW

Shoqërimi i protestuesve/ “Po na marrin tokat padrejtësisht dhe po na dhunojnë!”, banorët e Rrjollit para policisë: Lirojini!

Want to read more news