Trump’s Racist Rhetoric: The Obama Ape Post & Its Implications

Last night on The Joy Reid Show, panelists discussed Donald Trump’s recent social‑media post that portrayed former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes. The image was removed after public outcry, but Trump issued no apology. The incident unfolded at the start of Black History Month, prompting calls to treat it as a serious breach of political norms.

Did You Know? The post was taken down by Trump himself, yet he declined to issue a formal apology for the demeaning depiction.

Background on the Controversial Post

The image, first reported by The New York Times, depicted the Obamas as primates and sparked immediate condemnation. While the post was eventually deleted, Trump’s refusal to apologize was noted as a departure from typical political crisis management.

Pattern of Dehumanizing Rhetoric

Trump’s history of using animalistic language to describe non‑white groups is well documented. Recent examples include:

“Animals” / “not human” (immigrants) – described immigrants as “animals” and “not human” in a 2024 Michigan campaign speech (Reuters).
“Vermin” to be “root[ed] out” (political opponents) – warned he would “root out” enemies who “live like vermin” in November 2023 (ABC News).
“Poisoning the blood of our country” (immigrants) – claimed migrants were “poisoning the blood” of the United States at a December 2023 rally in Durham, New Hampshire (C‑SPAN).
“Infest” (immigration framed as pestilence) – said immigrants were “pour[ing] into and infest[ing] our Country” in June 2018 (TIME).
“Garbage” (Somalian immigrants) – called Somali immigrants “garbage” during a 2025 Cabinet meeting (TIME).
“Monsters” (Venezuelan immigrants) – bragged about removing “2,000 monsters” from Washington, D.C., at the National Prayer Breakfast (Roll Call).

Research Linking Rhetoric to Public Attitudes

A peer‑reviewed study titled “Trickle Down Racism” by Ashley Jardina (University of Virginia) and Spencer Piston (Boston University) measured dehumanizing attitudes toward Black people before and after the 2016 election. The researchers asked respondents to rate how “evolved” they considered average Blacks versus Whites.

The study found a surge in reported hate crimes against Black people after Trump’s election and documented that Trump supporters rated Black individuals as less “evolved” in the post‑election wave compared with the pre‑election wave. The authors illustrated a steeper relationship between warm feelings for Trump and lower evolutionary ratings for Black respondents.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that when a political leader repeatedly employs animalistic language, it normalizes dehumanization among followers. The new post about the Obamas reinforces a pattern that research links to heightened bias, suggesting that even symbolic gestures can translate into real‑world prejudice and violence.

Why the Incident Matters

The depiction of the Obamas as apes crosses a symbolic line that many observers consider intolerable for a public figure. It arrives at a time when Black History Month emphasizes the dignity and contributions of African Americans, amplifying its impact.

Given the documented correlation between Trump’s rhetoric and dehumanizing attitudes, the episode may further embolden hostile sentiments toward Black Americans and other marginalized groups, potentially influencing public discourse and policy debates.

What May Come Next

Analysts suggest that continued use of such imagery could prompt increased calls for accountability from both political opponents and civil‑rights organizations. If supporters remain silent, the lack of denunciation could be interpreted as tacit acceptance, possibly deepening the “trickle‑down” effect identified by scholars.

Conversely, sustained public pressure might lead to more decisive condemnations from party leaders or platform moderators, which could mitigate the spread of dehumanizing content.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the content of Donald Trump’s controversial post?

The post depicted former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes, a portrayal widely criticized as demeaning and racist.

Did Donald Trump apologize for the post?

Trump removed the post after backlash but did not issue a formal apology.

What does research say about the impact of Trump’s rhetoric?

The study “Trickle Down Racism” found that after Trump’s 2016 election, white respondents who supported him rated Black people as less “evolved,” and hate crimes against Black people increased, indicating a measurable effect of his dehumanizing language on public attitudes.

How do you think such imagery influences public perception of political leaders?