(2-6-26) Racist meme?

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told PEOPLE when asked about the video.

“This is from an internet meme video depicting President Trump as the King of the Jungle and Democrats as characters from The Lion King. Please stop the fake outrage and report on something today that actually matters to the American public.”

The full meme shows a hierarchy of politicians as jungle animals, with the Obamas as apes in that specific role for just a few seconds. It originated from conservative meme accounts (like one tied to @xerias_x on X or Facebook) and has been called out by figures across the spectrum, including Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), who labeled it “the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House.” Defenders framed it as harmless “internet meme” satire, but critics highlighted the dehumanizing imagery.