Internal speculation is swirling within the White House regarding responsibility for a now-deleted racist video that depicted Barack and Michelle Obama as monkeys, which was posted on Donald Trump's Truth Social account. The controversy has ignited a fierce debate about accountability and the president's involvement in the disturbing social media post.
White House Attempts to Deflect Blame
After initially dismissing the widespread outrage over the offensive depiction of the Obamas as apes, the White House later claimed the video was erroneously posted by a staff member. This abrupt reversal has fuelled intense internal speculation about whether President Trump himself or his devoted aide, Natalie Harp, was ultimately responsible for sharing the clip.
The brief video, shared late on Thursday night, appeared within a longer clip pushing conspiracy theories about the 2020 election. In a clear invocation of racist tropes, the video superimposed the faces of the former president and first lady onto the bodies of cartoon apes dancing to The Lion Sleeps Tonight.
Trump's Conflicting Account
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Palm Beach, Florida, Trump offered a conflicting account of events. He claimed he had only briefly viewed the first part of the video, which he said focused on voter fraud allegations, before handing it off to an unidentified staffer to post.
"No, I looked at the first part. It was really about voter fraud and the machines – how crooked it is, how disgusting it is," Trump stated. "Then I gave it to the people, generally they'd look at the whole thing but I guess somebody didn't and they posted it. And then we deleted it."
Trump further declared he would not fire the staffer in question and refused to apologise, insisting he had not made a mistake himself.
Internal Speculation Focuses on Key Aides
Trump's explanation has sparked significant speculation within his inner circle about the extent of presidential responsibility and which aide ultimately authorised the post. According to people familiar with the matter, only two aides besides Trump have access to his social media account: Dan Scavino and Natalie Harp.
Trump's advisers have quickly discounted Scavino's involvement, noting his recent preoccupation with his new role running the presidential personnel office. Instead, attention has turned to Harp, who has previously been entangled in Trump's communications and operates with significant autonomy.
Contradictory White House Statements
The White House did not respond to requests for comment about the growing intrigue, capping a tumultuous day that began with the press office defending the post before backtracking and blaming a staffer. This claim was later echoed by Trump in calls with Republican lawmakers.
In a reported conversation with Tim Scott, the only Black Republican senator who explicitly denounced the video as racist, Trump repeated the staffer mistake narrative and promised to remove the video. CBS News confirmed this exchange, highlighting the political sensitivity surrounding the incident.
Rare Reversal for Trump Administration
The decision to delete the video marked a rare reversal for Trump, whose instinct has historically been to stand by even his most provocative statements. This move came after White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt had earlier dismissed criticism of the video entirely.
"This is from an internet meme video depicting President Trump as the king of the jungle and Democrats as characters from The Lion King," Leavitt stated. "Please stop the fake outrage and report on something today that actually matters to the American public."
Natalie Harp's Controversial Role
Natalie Harp, 35, is among Trump's most devoted aides, having joined his 2024 re-election campaign at the outset. She earned the nickname "Human Printer" for travelling with the president while carrying a portable printer and spare toner to provide him with hard copies of tweets and news articles.
Over time, Harp has established a broader role as a conduit of information to and from the president, relaying text messages, social media posts, and news articles she believes he would appreciate. However, colleagues have criticised her for poor judgment on multiple occasions.
One notable incident involved Harp sending an aggressive text to Trump megadonor Miriam Adelson in summer 2024, criticising her $100 million Super PAC as poorly managed. Her proximity to Trump and tendency to operate outside the formal chain of command have repeatedly fuelled resentment among other aides.
Despite suggestions from multiple people that Harp represented a liability and opportunities to force her ouster, Trump has consistently rebuffed these concerns. He has instead rewarded her close loyalty with elevated positions within the White House structure.
Likely Minimal Repercussions
Regardless of who was ultimately responsible for posting the racist video, Trump's advisers indicate there will likely be minimal repercussions over the episode. The internal speculation continues, but the administration appears prepared to move forward without significant disciplinary action, maintaining the controversial dynamics that have characterised Trump's political operations.
