Former President Donald Trump deleted a social media video containing a racist clip that depicted Barack and Michelle Obama as apes, following strong criticism from within his own party. The video, which promoted conspiracy theories about the 2020 election, was removed from Trump's Truth Social account late Thursday night after an outcry that included a call for its removal from Republican Senator Tim Scott, who is Black.
The clip, set to "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," was spliced near the end of a 62-second video, according to the NY Times. The video was the latest instance of Trump promoting offensive imagery and slurs, according to the NY Times. The White House initially defended the clip as an "internet meme video," according to the BBC World.
The decision to delete the video was an unusual retreat for Trump, whose press secretary had initially brushed off criticism, according to the NY Times. Senator Scott described the video as "the most racist thing I've seen out of this White House," according to the BBC World.
In other news, a high-profile Russian general, Lt. Gen. Vladimir Alexeyev, was shot multiple times and wounded in Moscow. The attack occurred in a residential block of flats in the north-western outskirts of the capital, and the general is believed to be in serious condition, according to the BBC World. The attacker fled the scene. Alexeyev is number two in the main directorate of Russia's GRU military intelligence, and the attack is the latest targeting of a high-ranking military figure near Moscow since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, according to the BBC World. No one has claimed responsibility, but senior Russian officials immediately blamed Ukraine, according to the BBC World.
Additionally, the federal government is seeking to expedite the deportation of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, Adrian Conejo Arias, just days after their release from an immigration detention center in Texas, according to the NY Times. A lawyer for the family appeared before an immigration judge to contest the government's efforts. The hearing did not resolve the asylum claim, but the judge granted more time to argue the case, according to the NY Times. "He is not being deported today," said the family's lawyer, Danielle Molliver, according to the NY Times.
Finally, Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit issued a "profound apology" to Norwegians for her friendship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after revelations that they had exchanged messages for three years, according to the BBC World. "I also apologise for the situation in which I have placed the Royal House, especially the King and Queen," she said in a palace statement, according to the BBC World.
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