[VIDEO] Old internet meme becomes White House controversy after Trump repost

A months-old AI-generated cartoon circulating on social media returned to the spotlight this week after United States President Donald Trump reposted a trimmed version of the clip to his account, triggering a wave of condemnation.

The original meme video, first uploaded by an X user in October, was designed as a parody inspired by Disney’s The Lion King. In it, Trump was cast as a lion – the ruler of the jungle – while a number of leading Democrats appeared as different African animals, all set to the song The Lion Sleeps Tonight by The Tokens.

At the start of the full clip, the faces of former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama were digitally placed onto cartoon apes. As the music continued, other Democratic figures appeared as animals including a warthog and an elephant. Hillary Clinton, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and others were also featured in the animated parody.

The video attracted little mainstream attention when it first appeared online, remaining largely within meme-sharing communities. That changed late Thursday night when Trump shared a shortened version that emphasized unsubstantiated claims about voter fraud in the 2020 election before ending with the segment showing the Obamas as apes.

The repost spread quickly and drew immediate backlash across party lines, with many critics describing the imagery as racist and inappropriate, particularly during Black History Month.

Trump deleted the post before noon on Friday but insisted he would not apologize.

Speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One, he said he had only viewed the opening section of the clip, which focused on election issues.

“I didn’t see the rest of it,” Trump said. “I saw the beginning. It was about voter fraud and the machines. Then it was put out. Usually, people check the whole thing. I guess that didn’t happen.”

He added, “No, I didn’t make a mistake.”

A White House official told NBC News that the video had been posted in error by a staff member and was removed once the problem was recognized. Trump did not identify the staffer or indicate whether any disciplinary action would follow.

Earlier Friday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt had described the clip as a “Lion King” meme showing Trump as jungle royalty, a characterization that sparked further criticism from those who said it ignored the racist implications of the Obamas’ portrayal.

Leavitt later downplayed the episode, saying the removal of the post should end the matter and calling the outrage a distraction.

Lawmakers from both parties quickly weighed in.

South Carolina Senator Tim Scott publicly condemned the video on X, describing it as the most racist content he had seen from the White House and urging its removal. Scott later spoke with Trump by phone, though Trump acknowledged he did not apologize during the call.

Other Republicans, including Senators Pete Ricketts and John Curtis and Representatives Mike Lawler, Mike Turner and Brian Fitzpatrick, also criticized the post and called for an apology.

Democratic leaders reacted strongly. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer labeled the post racist and abhorrent, while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries used sharp language to denounce the president.

The fallout extended beyond Capitol Hill. Pastor Mark Burns, a Trump ally from South Carolina, said he advised the president that the staffer responsible should be dismissed.

The episode revived attention on Trump’s habit of sharing AI-generated and manipulated clips targeting political rivals. In recent months, he has reposted altered videos, including one depicting Jeffries wearing a cartoon sombrero next to Schumer.

In a recent NBC Nightly News interview with Tom Llamas, Trump admitted he does not necessarily believe all the election-related claims he shares online.

“I sometimes retruth those things,” he said.

The controversy also unfolded as Trump continues to push policies dismantling diversity, equity and inclusion programs and to repeat disputed claims that he won the 2020 election, adding another layer to the reaction over a meme video that had previously lingered in obscurity online.

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