United States President Donald Trump has said that sharing a video portraying former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as monkeys was not an error on his part.
Naija News reports that the controversial video was initially posted on Trump’s official Truth Social account before it was later taken down.
Speaking to reporters on Air Force One late Friday, Trump maintained that he had no reason to apologise, insisting that he did not make a mistake by sharing the clip.
He explained that he had not watched the video in its entirety before it was posted online.
“I didn’t make a mistake,” Trump said.
“I didn’t see the whole thing. I watched the first part, and it focused on voter fraud involving machines — how crooked and disgusting it is.
“Then I passed it on. Usually, people review the entire content, but apparently someone didn’t.”
When pressed on whether he condemned the content of the video, Trump responded, “Of course I do.”
The AI-generated video has sparked widespread backlash. California Governor Gavin Newsom reacted on X, describing the incident as “disgusting behaviour” and urging Republicans to publicly denounce it.
“Disgusting behaviour by the President. Every single Republican must denounce this. Now,” Newsom wrote.
Political commentator Harry Sisson also criticised the post, labelling it racist and unworthy of the presidency.
“Trump shared 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 stated.