Laura Loomer defends Trump after staffer posts racist Obama video

WASHINGTON, DC: Laura Loomer came to President Donald Trump’s defense after he shared a racist video on Truth Social depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes. The post sparked widespread outrage and was deleted roughly 12 hours later, as the White House shifted blame to a staffer.

The controversy emerged late Thursday night and into Friday, amid dozens of posts on Trump’s Truth Social account in a short span. The video, which drew immediate criticism, superimposed the Obamas’ faces onto animated apes, prompting condemnation from members of both parties.

Laura Loomer claims Trump does not post his own memes

Loomer, a long-time MAGA loyalist, echoed the White House’s defense that Trump was not personally responsible for the post.

“President Trump doesn’t post on his own social media accounts,” Loomer wrote on X. She explained that Trump “dictates the text on the long posts” to staffers, who then type and publish them. “For the memes and photos, those are posted by staff. I have spent enough time with President Trump to know he doesn’t type the posts himself."

Loomer’s comments came as scrutiny mounted over Trump’s account activity. Between 10:36 PM and 12:25 AM, 66 posts were published, including the controversial video. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment but later confirmed the post had been removed.

Republicans condemn post as calls for removal grow

The video drew swift criticism from within Trump’s party. Senator Tim Scott described it as “the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House” and urged its removal. Senator Susan Collins and others echoed his condemnation, with some calling the post “appalling” and “heartbreaking.”

Loomer responded by labeling Scott a “Trump hater,” defending the former president’s role in the post. Sources cited by Axios said White House staffers were “besieged with calls from fellow Republicans” urging the post’s deletion, which eventually happened roughly 12 hours later.

White House shifts blame after press explanation mocked

Initially, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the video was from a meme portraying Trump as the “King of the Jungle” and Democrats as Lion King characters. Later, a White House official claimed a staffer had “erroneously made the post,” distancing Trump from responsibility.

Critics noted Trump’s frequent personal posting on Truth Social, including nearly 150 posts on Christmas Day alone, questioning the staffer explanation. Trump himself previously said he enjoys typing his posts, although he sometimes dictates them.