Senator Raphael Warnock condemned a racist video shared by President Donald Trump on his Truth Social account, calling on all Americans to reject hate. “Yes… I saw the racist meme from the President of the United States. The President is trying to summon our country’s darkest demons to further divide us. Our nation’s spiritual rot is coming from the White House. I’m calling on all decent and honorable people to condemn this unabashed racism. Push back on hate, let love abide,” Warnock said.
Yes… I saw the racist meme from the President of the United States.
— Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (@SenatorWarnock) February 6, 2026
The President is trying to summon our country’s darkest demons to further divide us.
Our nation's spiritual rot is coming from the White House.
I’m calling on all decent and honorable people to condemn this…
The video, which depicted former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes in a jungle, drew immediate and widespread condemnation from both parties.
BREAKING: Full video that briefly appeared on President Trump’s TruthSocial post. pic.twitter.com/eLLD8yjxmq
— Leading Report (@LeadingReport) February 6, 2026
President Trump removed the post hours later, after facing criticism not only from Democrats but also from Republican allies, including Senator Tim Scott, the only Black Republican in the Senate. Scott described the video as racist and called on Trump to take it down. “Praying it was fake because it’s the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House. The President should remove it,” Scott wrote.
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
The White House initially defended the post, downplaying the backlash and labeling the response as “fake outrage.” Later, officials clarified that the video had been posted by a staffer in error. By the time it was removed, the post had been visible to the public for nearly 12 hours. Republican senators reportedly contacted Trump directly to discuss the incident, signaling concern within his own party over the video’s content and potential political consequences.
The episode comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Trump’s social media activity and its role in shaping political discourse. While Truth Social has served as a platform for the president to communicate directly with supporters, critics argue incidents like this exacerbate racial tensions and fuel national division. The bipartisan criticism of the post underscores that such content can provoke concern even among close political allies, reflecting broader debates about leadership, accountability, and the responsibilities of public figures in the digital age.
The video’s removal does not erase the incident. Warnock’s response to the video stems from his long-standing role as senior pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, the historic congregation where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once preached. His work in the church has focused on advocating for social justice, supporting Black Americans, and promoting civic engagement, education, and economic opportunity. That commitment to equality and community leadership informs his public statements and actions, reflecting the church’s enduring legacy as a center for moral guidance and advocacy.
