Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

orangecrush

(29,339 posts)
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 09:15 AM 21 hrs ago

Karoline Leavitt Gives Jaw-Dropping Defense of Trump's Racist Obama Video

In a frenzied posting spree overnight, Trump shared a clip about conspiracy theories regarding so-called rigged elections. The video ends showing the Obamas with their heads superimposed onto the bodies of animated apes.

The video was widely condemned, with California Governor and Trump foe Gavin Newsom describing it as “disgusting.” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, however, called the outrage around it “fake".

In a statement to Newsweek and other outlets, Leavitt said: “This is from an internet meme video depicting President Trump as the King of the Jungle and Democrats as characters from the Lion King.”

“Please stop the fake outrage and report on something today that actually matters to the American public,” Leavitt added.


https://www.thedailybeast.com/karoline-leavitt-gives-jaw-dropping-defense-of-donald-trumps-racist-obama-video/

54 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Karoline Leavitt Gives Jaw-Dropping Defense of Trump's Racist Obama Video (Original Post) orangecrush 21 hrs ago OP
Republicans are okay with it dalton99a 21 hrs ago #1
Yes it plays well with his base. surfered 20 hrs ago #14
of course they're ok with it... agingdem 18 hrs ago #42
Republicans are the ones who have stoked racism and used it to get elected for decades. Lonestarblue 18 hrs ago #44
The ease with which they can lie... Chasstev365 21 hrs ago #2
What "matters to the American public" is that we should have a President LeftinOH 21 hrs ago #3
bingo rampartd 20 hrs ago #10
And this is what he is doing late at night newdeal2 20 hrs ago #11
"god grant me the serenity....." rampartd 20 hrs ago #15
We should focus on things that matter to the public? intheflow 21 hrs ago #4
'zactly. durablend 21 hrs ago #5
Seeing the "fake" excuse a lot on Twitter. Even Grok confirms it's true. underpants 21 hrs ago #6
Another example of attempted Leavitty.. BattleRow 20 hrs ago #19
Leavitty.. malaise 19 hrs ago #27
Normalization of NAZI. Kid Berwyn 21 hrs ago #7
She plays that little Nazi role down pat. Emile 20 hrs ago #8
shouldn't she go on maternity leave or somethng? mountain grammy 20 hrs ago #9
I pity... GiqueCee 20 hrs ago #18
Uh, I can assure the lying blonde lady wearing a cross that my outrage is not fake. surfered 20 hrs ago #12
Same orangecrush 20 hrs ago #13
Only one thing that Ms. Leavitt should say. Does Karoline Cross Wearer know Jesus was black? Botany 20 hrs ago #16
Memo to Leavitt: AverageOldGuy 20 hrs ago #17
Money Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin 20 hrs ago #25
Trump as king of the racists! mymomwasright 20 hrs ago #20
There will come a day Johnny2X2X 20 hrs ago #21
so it's OK if I superimpose DUMP's face on Clyde from Every Which Way But Loose eShirl 20 hrs ago #22
I prefer that you superimpose his image Prof. Toru Tanaka 19 hrs ago #36
Someone already did a version with the caption "Planet of the Rapes"... rubbersole 18 hrs ago #39
This message was self-deleted by its author rubbersole 18 hrs ago #40
Right. Your outrage should be used on important things... Ol Janx Spirit 20 hrs ago #23
I could say what she is but it might be pulled Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin 20 hrs ago #24
They are literally trying to bully us into accepting racism angrychair 19 hrs ago #26
Why does she think it matters that it's from a longer video that included non-AA people as animals as well? thesquanderer 19 hrs ago #28
Forever and always she's a pig wolfie001 19 hrs ago #29
What's the fake outrage? EnergizedLib 19 hrs ago #30
We know you all are racists. No need to make up lies about your racism. Solly Mack 19 hrs ago #31
"...report on something today that actually matters to the American public." Wednesdays 19 hrs ago #32
Out of the mouth of the holier than thou Queen of Fake Outrage. flashman13 19 hrs ago #33
She wears a cross necklace. COL Mustard 18 hrs ago #46
That religious symbol has simply become a right-wing logo. It's just another form of cos play. flashman13 18 hrs ago #51
This is infantile Beck23 19 hrs ago #34
Goebbels dismisses holocaust as boyish pranks by overeager patriots. Ping Tung 19 hrs ago #35
Tha same dude who said, " power tends to corrupt, and absolute power raccoon 18 hrs ago #41
I agree with most of his sayings but not all. I do agree with this one. Ping Tung 18 hrs ago #50
ANY other employee, manager, or board member would be immediately fired if they did this Blue Owl 19 hrs ago #37
IOW: He was just joking. QED 19 hrs ago #38
Can I say one thing...FUCK YOU Carolyin'. I've had about enough of your racist,trump humping Bengus81 18 hrs ago #43
Every time I think Trump and his minions COL Mustard 18 hrs ago #45
Trump has a lot of nerve talking about spies after what was revealed in the Epstein files. ChicagoTeamster 18 hrs ago #47
She has the brains of a ping-pong ball struggle4progress 18 hrs ago #48
The Botox-lipped liar's biggest lie was that she'd never lie to the American people (nt) William Seger 18 hrs ago #49
There is nothing jaw dropping. This administration is racist. n/t Jacson6 18 hrs ago #52
After Karoline Leavitt tried to defend the latest example of the president's routine racism, the White House stepped on LetMyPeopleVote 17 hrs ago #53
Another lie and Karolyin's cross grows a little larger. Hassler 4 hrs ago #54

agingdem

(8,784 posts)
42. of course they're ok with it...
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 11:46 AM
18 hrs ago

Republicans voted for a a malicious sadistic hate-fueled racist degenerate because there was no way in hell they were going to "allow" another person of color to occupy the Oval Office again...no surprise there...

Lonestarblue

(13,338 posts)
44. Republicans are the ones who have stoked racism and used it to get elected for decades.
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 11:51 AM
18 hrs ago

Beginning with Reagan and made worse by Trump. There's a reason Reagan announced his candidacy for president in Neshoba County, Mississippi. It was near the site where the KKK murdered civil rights activists James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner in 1964. Reagan chose a rural location and one where citizens supported the Klan and a one of the most racist states in the country. Reagan's speech focused on states' rights, a phrase used by white supremacists to justify racial segregation.

There's a direct progression from Nixon's Southern Strategy to incarcerate as many black voters as possible to prevent their votes to Trump's vicious racist policies of today. Trump's Republican Party is totally white supremacist and groups like ICE are today's version of the KKK.

I expect nothing to change because Republicans love to hate non-white people and are delusional enough to believe that they can make the US an all-white nation.

LeftinOH

(5,631 posts)
3. What "matters to the American public" is that we should have a President
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 09:18 AM
21 hrs ago

who does not engage in crass and juvenile internet trolling. That matters.

newdeal2

(5,035 posts)
11. And this is what he is doing late at night
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 09:47 AM
20 hrs ago

He is probably on so many drugs that he can’t sleep so he goes into these manic episodes. It’s quite scary in a way.

rampartd

(4,233 posts)
15. "god grant me the serenity....."
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 09:58 AM
20 hrs ago

this has only just begun

if kelly can be recalled to duty for court martial so can i. musk has everything he needs to steal every mortgage and clean all our bank accounts. overnight.

i can't let that stop the fight, but does caution discretion.

intheflow

(30,074 posts)
4. We should focus on things that matter to the public?
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 09:22 AM
21 hrs ago

Like abolishing ICE and the Epstein files? If you say so, KKKaroline.

durablend

(8,996 posts)
5. 'zactly.
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 09:32 AM
21 hrs ago

WHERE'S THE EPSTEIN FILES ALREADY?

I don't see things getting more affordable either.

How 'bout we talk about those.

underpants

(195,550 posts)
6. Seeing the "fake" excuse a lot on Twitter. Even Grok confirms it's true.
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 09:33 AM
21 hrs ago

So it’s more of the:
He didn’t do or say that
Okay he did but you don’t understand what he meant
Relax/ it was a joke.


Botany

(76,688 posts)
16. Only one thing that Ms. Leavitt should say. Does Karoline Cross Wearer know Jesus was black?
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 10:06 AM
20 hrs ago

Posting that blatant racist computer generated image was wrong and myself and President Trump
apologize for doing so and it was an unthinking action. The racism in that image is unAmerican.

Btw 35% of Americans are good with this level of racism they are Trump’s base.



AverageOldGuy

(3,554 posts)
17. Memo to Leavitt:
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 10:09 AM
20 hrs ago

That's not the point, fool.

Why is the most powerful man in the world, the man with his finger on the nuclear trigger, spending his nights firing off hours and hours of social media junk??

And why are you defending him??

Johnny2X2X

(23,825 posts)
21. There will come a day
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 10:25 AM
20 hrs ago

When all of these monsters slink away to live the rest of their lives in shame, unable to show their faces in public.

Prof. Toru Tanaka

(2,914 posts)
36. I prefer that you superimpose his image
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 11:20 AM
19 hrs ago

on those fools Clyde took “right turns” on. But I like your reference to the movie!

Response to eShirl (Reply #22)

Ol Janx Spirit

(826 posts)
23. Right. Your outrage should be used on important things...
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 10:31 AM
20 hrs ago

...like reporters not smiling enough when they ask you questions about your pedophile past; or who is performing at the halftime of the Super Bowl; or meanies saying mean things and wearing buttons at the Grammys.

It's not like racism ever hurt anyone.....

angrychair

(11,897 posts)
26. They are literally trying to bully us into accepting racism
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 10:40 AM
19 hrs ago

They will bully the press into accepting this racist trash and they will all nod their heads like bobble headed dolls and do whatever they are told.

Fvkc the news media. All of it. All of them. They are all worthless sycophants, sucking up to a madman.

thesquanderer

(12,916 posts)
28. Why does she think it matters that it's from a longer video that included non-AA people as animals as well?
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 10:47 AM
19 hrs ago

The lack of that context provides its own context, too.

EnergizedLib

(2,982 posts)
30. What's the fake outrage?
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 10:57 AM
19 hrs ago

Anybody with any decency? Any African American who sees it, regardless of how they voted?

So, let’s say if even this doesn’t matter to the American public, what about stocks being plummeted, the bad job market, layoffs inching higher in January?

Wednesdays

(21,906 posts)
32. "...report on something today that actually matters to the American public."
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 11:07 AM
19 hrs ago

Well the 25th Amendment actually matters to the American public, no?

flashman13

(2,216 posts)
51. That religious symbol has simply become a right-wing logo. It's just another form of cos play.
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 12:19 PM
18 hrs ago

No different that the Mar-A-Lardo faces.

Ping Tung

(4,221 posts)
35. Goebbels dismisses holocaust as boyish pranks by overeager patriots.
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 11:17 AM
19 hrs ago
“Every doctrine to become popular, must be made superficial, exaggerated, untrue." Lord Acton

raccoon

(32,280 posts)
41. Tha same dude who said, " power tends to corrupt, and absolute power
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 11:45 AM
18 hrs ago

Corrupts absolutely.”

I’ll have to look up the rest of his quotes. Must’ve been a pretty smart fellow.

Ping Tung

(4,221 posts)
50. I agree with most of his sayings but not all. I do agree with this one.
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 12:09 PM
18 hrs ago
There is no worse heresy than that the office sanctifies the holder of it. Lord Acton

Blue Owl

(58,589 posts)
37. ANY other employee, manager, or board member would be immediately fired if they did this
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 11:28 AM
19 hrs ago

Ms. Leavitt, please explain the goddamned double standard to us, you enabling traitor...

Bengus81

(9,962 posts)
43. Can I say one thing...FUCK YOU Carolyin'. I've had about enough of your racist,trump humping
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 11:49 AM
18 hrs ago

screed too. Why that husband of yours hasn't file for divorce is beyond me.

COL Mustard

(8,062 posts)
45. Every time I think Trump and his minions
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 11:55 AM
18 hrs ago

Have reached bottom, they surprise me by digging lower. They are truly disgusting.

LetMyPeopleVote

(176,683 posts)
53. After Karoline Leavitt tried to defend the latest example of the president's routine racism, the White House stepped on
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 12:45 PM
17 hrs ago

After Karoline Leavitt tried to defend the latest example of the president’s routine racism, the White House stepped on her dreadful argument.

Trump amplifying another racist video got me thinking about the commitment he made to Black voters in his second inaugural — and how quickly he returned to the kind of gutter racism that helped fuel his political rise in the first place. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...

Steve Benen (@stevebenen.com) 2026-02-06T16:01:29.577Z

https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/white-house-tries-to-defend-trump-amplifying-a-racist-video-targeting-the-obamas

In the fall, for example, the Republican used the term “DEI” as a slur for minorities in blaming their involvement with the construction of Barack Obama’s presidential library. Soon after, the president, as part of an ugly anti-immigrant pitch, publicly referred to Somali Americans as “garbage” and revived his “s—hole countries” rhetoric.

The list, alas, continues to grow longer. The Associated Press reported:

President Donald Trump used his social media account to share a video about election conspiracy theories that includes a racist depiction of former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, as primates in a jungle. […]

Nearly all of the 62-second clip, which was among dozens of Truth Social posts from Trump overnight, appears to be from a conservative video alleging deliberate tampering with voting machines in battleground states as the 2020 presidential votes were tallied. At the 60-second mark is a quick scene of two primates, with the Obamas’ smiling faces imposed on them
.


The fact that the Republican president didn’t make the video himself is hardly exculpatory: Trump saw the video and thought it’d be a good to idea to amplify it, just as he did in his first term when he promoted a video of a supporter wearing Trump campaign gear while shouting “white power!”...

Republican Sen. Tim Scott, who is Black, wrote online that he was praying the video “was fake because it’s the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House.” The South Carolinian, who’s currently chairing the National Republican Senatorial Committee, added: “The President should remove it.”....

Complicating matters, a few hours after Leavitt tried to defend the racist video, the White House changed its story, saying in a statement, “A White House staffer erroneously made the post. It has been taken down.”

Evidently, the press secretary’s “fake outrage” line proved unsustainable.

In his second inaugural address, Trump said: “To the Black and Hispanic communities, I want to thank you for the tremendous outpouring of love and trust that you have shown me with your vote. We set records, and I will not forget it. I’ve heard your voices in the campaign, and I look forward to working with you in the years to come.”

Like too many of Trump’s promises, he wasted little time in trashing this commitment and returning to the kind of gutter racism that helped fuel his political rise in the first place.
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Karoline Leavitt Gives Ja...