WASHINGTON (Quanta Report) — Following a controversial social media post by President Donald Trump that included a racially charged video depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama in a derogatory manner, the White House's response has been inconsistent
.Initially dismissing it as 'fake outrage,' the administration later deleted the post, attributing the incident to a staff error. President Trump defended the action, stating 'I didn’t make a mistake,' claiming the inflammatory content was unseen prior to posting.
Reacting to the incident, Representative Yvette Clarke, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, called the video harmful, asserting intent to injure individuals. In an interview following the deletion, Clarke criticized the climate at the White House as inherently bigoted, stating, 'We’re dealing with a bigoted and racist regime.'
She elaborated, acknowledging the weekly confrontations with immoral and grotesque actions from the current administration, which have now seemingly become systematic.
As she noted, 'If there wasn’t a climate, a toxic and racist climate within the White House, we wouldn’t see this type of behavior regardless of who it’s coming from.'
Clarke also highlighted the political implications of the post, considering the proximity of upcoming elections. She indicated that many lawmakers are likely aware of the ramifications inherent in associating themselves with Trump’s behavior, warning of the risks involved in campaigning on such a platform.
Despite the deletion, Clarke specified that it was politically rather than morally driven, stating, 'I think it’s more of a political expediency than it is any moral compass.'
In her concluding remarks, she expressed a desire for the White House to actively engage with and learn from minorities, emphasizing the need to counteract the negative messages sent to Black youth who may be affected by the president's rhetoric.
Clarke's strong condemnation highlights the ongoing tensions present in Washington as the current administration navigates its communications with minority communities.
