“Racist. Vile. Abhorrent.” Schumer demands Trump delete post after video depicts Obamas as apes, allies say
WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Thursday condemned what he described as a racist attack aimed at former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama, urging President Donald Trump to delete a post and apologize as Democrats pressed Republicans to respond.
Racist. Vile. Abhorrent. This is dangerous and degrades our country—where are Senate Republicans?
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) February 6, 2026
The President must immediately delete the post and apologize to Barack and Michelle Obama, two great Americans who make Donald Trump look like a small, envious man. https://t.co/HHhdYZoUGK
“Racist. Vile. Abhorrent. This is dangerous and degrades our country—where are Senate Republicans? The President must immediately delete the post and apologize to Barack and Michelle Obama …” — Sen. Chuck Schumer
Schumer’s comments followed reporting and social media posts alleging that a video shared from Trump’s Truth Social account portrayed the Obamas as apes. The clip circulating online appears to include altered imagery and has drawn swift backlash from Democrats and other critics, who argued it crossed into overt racist caricature.
The White House did not immediately respond publicly in the material Schumer was reacting to, and it was not clear whether the video was created by Trump’s team, shared from another account, or reposted without comment. The controversy nonetheless spread quickly, adding fuel to an already tense political climate as both parties brace for a new round of fights over rhetoric, misinformation and racial provocation online.
Schumer framed the issue as a test for Republicans in the Senate, asking why GOP leaders were not condemning the post. His statement also tried to raise the stakes beyond partisan sparring, calling it “dangerous” and arguing that it “degrades” the country’s political culture.
The moment underscores how quickly short-form political content can become a national flashpoint — and how leading Democrats are increasingly treating provocative online posts as a matter of governance, not just messaging. It also sets up a familiar dynamic: Democrats demanding accountability and retraction, and Republicans weighing whether to confront a president from their own party or avoid amplifying the story.
