Massive Outrage Erupts: What Did the Obamas Post That Had the White House Fuming?

Frustrations within the White House have surfaced following a now-deleted post on President Donald Trump’s Truth Social account that depicted former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama as apes. This incident has prompted internal questioning and unusual condemnation from members of the Republican Party.

A source with direct knowledge of the situation revealed to Semafor that Trump was reportedly unaware of the post prior to its publication and expressed dissatisfaction upon learning of it. According to the source, White House aides are “pretty pissed off” over the incident, particularly at the individual responsible for posting the offensive video.

The identity of that individual remains unclear, as does the potential for any disciplinary action against them. A White House official labeled the post as an “erroneously” published video, which included the controversial imagery of the Obamas. The content was posted late Thursday night at 11:44 p.m. and was part of a flurry of posts made on Truth Social during that time.

High-profile Republicans quickly voiced their disapproval of the post. Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, the only Black senator in the GOP, labeled it “the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House.” Similarly, Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi described the post as “totally unacceptable.”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to the backlash by criticizing what she termed “fake outrage.” She explained to news outlets that the video was derived from an internet meme, depicting Trump as the “King of the Jungle” with Democrats portrayed as characters from “The Lion King.”

A person close to the White House remarked, “You can’t attempt to clean up the mess by continuing to make it messier,” highlighting the challenges faced in managing the fallout from the incident.

Access to Trump’s Truth Social account is limited to a select group of individuals, including White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino and one of Trump’s staunchest aides, Natalie Harp. Although Scavino has been named as a key figure in managing the account, the source confirmed he was not responsible for the offensive post. The White House has not responded to inquiries about Harp’s involvement.

As the dust settles from this latest controversy, it raises significant questions about accountability within the White House and the oversight of Trump's social media presence. The swift backlash from both party members and the public underscores the sensitive nature of communication in today's political landscape, where missteps can lead to rapid consequences.

Given the polarizing nature of social media, the incident serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between political commentary and inappropriate rhetoric. As the narrative continues to unfold, it will be crucial for the administration to address the internal discontent and clarify its stance on such troubling representations.