President Trump deleted a controversial artificial intelligence-generated video from Truth Social that depicted former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama with digitally altered imagery, following swift bipartisan condemnation from lawmakers across the political spectrum.

The Incident and Response

The president posted the minute-long video just before midnight on February 5, 2026, as part of a posting spree that included over 60 messages. The content centered on unsubstantiated voter fraud claims from the 2020 election before displaying AI-generated images. Trump removed the post the following day after facing criticism from both Republican and Democratic officials. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt initially defended the content as part of an internet meme based on The Lion King.

Trump denied personal responsibility for the post, claiming he gave the video to staff to review and someone missed a problematic section. He stated he looked at the beginning and found it acceptable, adding he had no plans to apologize. Two White House officials provided conflicting accounts, with one saying a staffer made the post erroneously while another confirmed Trump personally ordered its removal.

Bipartisan Congressional Reaction

Republican senators led the criticism, with Tim Scott of South Carolina calling it the most racist content he had seen from the White House. Roger Wicker of Mississippi termed the post totally unacceptable and demanded an apology. Pete Ricketts of Nebraska acknowledged the racist context despite White House claims about Lion King references. California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office called for all Republicans to denounce the president’s behavior.

Staff Access and Accountability

The incident highlights questions about social media oversight within the administration. A small group of trusted officials has access to presidential accounts, including Executive Assistant Natalie Harp and Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino. The original meme reportedly featured Trump as a lion with various Democratic politicians depicted as other animals. The controversy underscores ongoing tensions between the current and former administrations while raising concerns about artificial intelligence use in political content.