Trump refuses to apologize, blames staffer for video depicting Obamas as apes
Newsy
Trump refused to apologize after a racist video depicting the Obamas as apes appeared on his Truth Social account, sparking bipartisan backlash.
President Donald Trump said he would not apologize and that he did nothing wrong after a racist video depicting former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as apes appeared on his Truth Social media account late Thursday.
The minute-long clip includes Trump’s repeated, unfounded claims that the 2020 presidential election was rigged. It ends with the heads of the Obamas superimposed on the bodies of apes. The post was deleted about 12 hours later, but only after facing backlash from both Republicans and Democrats in Congress.
The White House initially defended the video, calling it an "internet meme."
"I looked at it. I saw it and I just looked at the first part. It was about voter fraud in some place. Georgia," Trump said. "I didn't see the whole thing. I guess during the end of it, there was some kind of a picture that people don't like. I wouldn't like it either."
"Then I gave it to the people," he added. "Generally, they look at the whole thing, but I guess somebody didn't and they posted it -- and we took it down. We took it down as soon as we found out."
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