President Donald Trump didn’t categorical regret and defended the racist video he posted final week that depicted former President Barack Obama and First Woman Michelle Obama as apes.
When requested by a reporter whether or not the staffer the White Home claimed was chargeable for the submit on Trump’s Fact Social account had been fired or disciplined, Trump stated no and stood by the submit.
“That was a video…on voter fraud. A reasonably lengthy video. That they had a little bit piece that needed to do with ‘The Lion King,’” stated the president, repeating a declare beforehand made by White Home Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, regardless of there being no such apes within the Disney movie. He added, “It’s been proven everywhere lengthy earlier than that was a part of it, however that was a really robust piece on voter fraud.”
The president’s response is unlikely to quell outrage over the racist video which was in the end faraway from his Fact account.
“If Trump didn’t submit the video himself, it needs to be a no brainer to fireplace the staffer who posted and condemn the racist content material pushed out from his personal account,” Brandon Weathersby, a spokesperson for American Bridge twenty first Century, advised theGrio.
“What’s worse than Trump excusing hate from his supporters is his assaults on communities of colour that foment hate and put folks like Rep. Ilhan Omar in actual hazard. Trump is aware of precisely what he’s doing. He amplifies racist lies, then pretends he has no duty for the violence and threats that comply with.”
Weathersby added, “A frontrunner who refuses to reject racism is encouraging it, and Trump has made that alternative repeatedly.”
Trump’s newest remarks come days after he refused to apologize, as urged by a few of his fellow Republicans like Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, the one Black Republican serving within the U.S. Senate.
“No, I didn’t make a mistake…I take a look at 1000’s of issues…and I regarded originally of it. It was advantageous,” stated Trump. “I didn’t learn about it. So, I imply, it went up. I actually don’t have any message.”
Trump’s protection of the racist video additionally comes a day after he posted a collection of movies of himself with Black celebrities, seemingly making an attempt to convey that he’s not racist due to his proximity to high-profile figures in the neighborhood.
“Simply because when he was a businessman and a member of our fashionable tradition, and Black celebrities loved hanging out with him, it doesn’t absolve him from his racism,” Democratic strategist Alencia Johnson advised theGrio. “The truth is that a whole lot of the folks in these movies truly distanced themselves from him as soon as he grew to become president and enacted all these harmful insurance policies on Black folks, which actually speaks to who he’s.”
Yemisi Egbewole, former White Home Chief of Employees to Biden Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, advised theGrio of the newest Trump posts: “Did he submit this or a staffer? Both manner, a compilation video of each Black individual you’ve ever are available in contact with is just not injury management.”
