Republicans are known for closing ranks around Donald Trump, but on Friday, that instinct faltered.
A video posted from Trump’s own account depicted Barack and Michelle Obama as apes. It remained online only briefly before being deleted, but it triggered an unprecedented backlash from within his own party.
Democrats condemned the post right away. That part was predictable. The shift came when Sen. Tim Scott spoke out.
Scott, a close Trump ally and the Senate’s only Black Republican, made his position known.
“Praying it was fake because it’s the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House,” he wrote. He then called on the president to remove it.
Praying it was fake because it’s the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House. The President should remove it. https://t.co/gADoM13ssZ
— Tim Scott (@votetimscott) February 6, 2026
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After that, other Republicans followed.
Rep. Mike Lawler of New York said the post was wrong and offensive. He urged the White House to take it down and issue an apology.
The President’s post is wrong and incredibly offensive — whether intentional or a mistake — and should be deleted immediately with an apology offered.
— Mike Lawler (@lawler4ny) February 6, 2026
Lawler represents a swing district and faces a difficult reelection fight.
At first, the White House dismissed the backlash. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the clip was from “a Lion King style meme” and added, “Please stop the fake outrage and report on something today that actually matters to the American public.”
Hours later, the video was gone.
A White House official said, “A staffer erroneously made the post. It has been taken down.” Another Trump ally added, “The president did not know about the video, and the staffer really let him down.”
That explanation did not stop the criticism.
Sen. Roger Wicker described the video as unacceptable and said the president is obligated to apologize.
This is totally unacceptable. The president should take it down and apologize. https://t.co/25muIEPgsj
— Senator Roger Wicker (@SenatorWicker) February 6, 2026
Sen. Pete Ricketts said anyone could see the meaning behind the clip and criticized the White House for defending it.
Even if this was a Lion King meme, a reasonable person sees the racist context to this. The White House should do what anyone does when they make a mistake: remove this and apologize. https://t.co/53Pv7xXCef
— Senator Pete Ricketts (@SenatorRicketts) February 6, 2026
More Republicans added their voices.
Rep. Nick LaLota said the post crossed a line and should never have been shared, while Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick described it as a serious lapse in judgment and demanded a clear apology.
The President has made tremendous inroads in the black community and I can’t imagine that sharing a one-minute video the last second of which was unrelated and pretty racist wasn’t sloppy screen recording by staff. Deleting the post would help right this wrong.
— Nick LaLota 🗽💪🇺🇸🫡 (@nicklalota) February 6, 2026
Racism and hatred have no place in our country—ever. They divide our people and weaken the foundations of our democracy.
History leaves no doubt: when division is inflamed by those in positions of power, the consequences are real and lasting.
Whether intentional or careless,…
— Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick 🇺🇸 (@RepBrianFitz) February 6, 2026
Even lawmakers who usually avoid public criticism spoke up.
Rep. Mike Turner said the images were offensive and wrong. Even longtime GOP moderates piled on. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine shared Scott’s post and wrote, “Tim is right. This was appalling.” Sen. Dan Sullivan of Alaska said the post was offensive and said he was glad it was taken down.
This was not business as usual.
For a short stretch, Trump’s own allies pushed back. The White House reversed course. And the party showed signs of strain it usually works hard to hide.
Featured image via Political Tribune Gallery
