United States President Donald Trump has defended his decision to share a controversial video that portrayed former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as monkeys, insisting that posting it was not a mistake and that he has no reason to apologise.
The video was briefly posted on Trump’s official Truth Social account before it was deleted, sparking widespread outrage and accusations of racism.
Speaking to reporters late Friday aboard Air Force One, Trump said he did not watch the full video before it was shared. He claimed his focus was on what he described as allegations of voter fraud shown at the beginning of the clip.
“I didn’t make a mistake,” Trump said. “I didn’t see the whole thing. I looked at the first part, and it was really about voter fraud in the machines, how crooked it is, how disgusting it is. Then I gave it to the people. Generally, they look at the whole thing. But I guess somebody didn’t.”
When pressed on whether he condemned the offensive depiction of the Obamas in the video, Trump responded, “Of course I do,” while maintaining that the post itself did not warrant an apology.
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from political figures and commentators. California Governor Gavin Newsom described the video as unacceptable, calling it “disgusting behaviour by the President” and urging Republicans to publicly denounce it.
Political commentator Harry Sisson also condemned the post, labelling it racist and unworthy of a sitting president. “Trump posted a video depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as monkeys. Incredibly racist and disgusting. Beneath the office of the presidency, like everything he does. Every American must condemn this,” he wrote on X.
The controversy adds to ongoing debates over Trump’s use of social media and the standards of conduct expected from the US presidency.
