Congressional Black Caucus chair says Trump’s post on the Obamas shows a ‘bigoted and racist regime’
WASHINGTON (AP) — Since then a racist video Different answers came from the White House to this question, which was shared on President Donald Trump’s social media account.
He first denied the “fake outrage”, then deleted the post and blamed a staff member.
“I didn’t make a mistake,” Trump later told reporters Friday. The Republican president insisted that no one had seen the part showing former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as primates in the forest before the video was released.
But the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus offered a different explanation when he spoke to The Associated Press.
“It’s very clear that there was an intent to harm people, to hurt people with this video,” said Rep. Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y.
The AP interviewed Clarke, who led the group of more than 60 Black House and Senate members, hours after the video was deleted on Friday, and she was unsparing in her criticism. “Like my mother said, ‘It’s too late. Mercy’s gone,'” said Clarke.
Here is a transcript of the interview, edited for length and clarity.
AP: What was your reaction when you saw this post?
CLARKE: We are faced with a bigoted and racist regime. … Every week, the American people are forced to respond to something very cruel or deeply repulsive that this administration has done. At this point it’s just part of their modus operandi.
AP: Do you believe the White House’s statement that this was an aide’s mistake?
CLARKE: They’re not telling the truth. If it weren’t for a toxic and racist climate in the White House, we wouldn’t be seeing this type of behavior, no matter who it’s coming from. … Here we are celebrating this year in 2026. 250th anniversary 100th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America Commemorating black historyand this is what came out of the White House Friday morning. This is beneath all of us.
AP: Has there been any contact between the White House and the Congressional Black Caucus on this issue? Could it be a bona fide purchase?
CLARKE: There was no help from the White House. We definitely didn’t expect it to be there. Outreach needs to happen before such teenage antics.
AP: Criticism from Republicans grew faster Friday than in previous Trump debates. What do you say to this?
CLARKE: The communities we represent have not lost sight of the fact that elections are approaching. So my colleagues are not lost on this either. If they want to align themselves with this kind of truly disrespectful imagery, this kind of bigoted and racist attack on a former president and his wife, they are throwing their lot in with a person who has portrayed them as a disgrace.
AP: It’s not common for President Trump to retract anything. What does this show you that he did?
CLARKE: I think it’s more of a political expediency than any moral compass. … As my mother said, “It’s too late. Mercy is gone.”
AP: What more do you hope to see from the White House on this issue?
CLARKE: My hope is that we can contain the damage they’ve done. There are Black kids listening to their president… Seeing what he shares on Truth Social (and) it will impact the way they view their own country’s leadership. … I think this administration has an opportunity to change course. They always do. We leave room for this. But unfortunately Donald Trump is programmed that way.
AP: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
CLARKE: As a democracy, we must stand together against this kind of racism, this kind of bigotry, this kind of hatred from the president of the United States and those who surround him. … It is clear that there is an intention to harm and hurt people with this video. Otherwise he wouldn’t be able to stay up for 12 hours.
___ Barrow reported from Atlanta.
