By Trendsetter Tribune 
In a rare public break from the White House, Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) is demanding that President Trump delete a “vile” and “racist” video from his Truth Social account. The post, shared late Thursday night, features a brief clip depicting former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama as primates.
The move marks a significant moment of tension between the President and one of his most loyal Senate allies.
The Post That Sparked the Backlash
The video in question is a 62-second montage focused on 2020 election conspiracy theories. Near the end of the clip, the faces of the Obamas are superimposed onto dancing monkeys while the song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” plays.
- Tim Scott’s Reaction: The only Black Republican in the Senate didn’t hold back, calling the imagery “the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House” and stating he was “praying it was fake.”
- Democratic Outrage: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer joined the chorus, calling the post “abhorrent” and labeling the President a “small, envious man.”
White House Dismisses “Fake Outrage”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt pushed back on the criticism Friday morning. She clarified that the clip is an “internet meme” depicting various Democrats as characters from The Lion King, with President Trump portrayed as the “King of the Jungle.”
Leavitt urged the media and critics to “stop the fake outrage” and focus on issues that matter to the American public.
A Growing Divide?
While Tim Scott has been a staunch supporter of the President—even serving as a top surrogate during the 2024 campaign—this isn’t the only issue where they are currently clashing:
- The Federal Reserve Standoff: Scott recently bucked the administration’s Department of Justice investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell. While Trump has accused Powell of “gross incompetence” or “theft” regarding headquarters renovations, Scott defended Powell, saying “ineptness is not a criminal act.”
- Political Stakes: As the chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Scott is tasked with protecting the GOP’s thin Senate majority in the upcoming 2026 midterms. Alienating Black voters or moderate Republicans with controversial imagery could make that job much harder.
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