President Donald Trump faced immediate and widespread criticism from both Republicans and Democrats after sharing a video on his Truth Social account late Thursday night that depicted former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama as apes. The video, which was deleted from Trump's account on Friday, included an AI-generated clip set to the song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" featuring images of the Obamas' faces imposed on the bodies of apes in a jungle setting. The clip was part of a longer video promoting conspiracy theories about voting fraud during the 2020 presidential election, according to Time.
The depiction of the Obamas as apes aligns with a centuries-old racist trope used to justify dehumanization, Time reported. The White House initially blamed the post on an unnamed staffer, but the incident sparked outrage, especially as it occurred during Black History Month. Some critics viewed the post as a diversionary tactic.
Meanwhile, Vice President J.D. Vance was booed at the opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Games on Friday. According to Time, boos and jeers erupted from the crowd of 65,000 people when Vance appeared on the stadium's big screen. While President Trump seemed unfazed, recent polls suggest Vance's unpopularity extends beyond Europe.
In other news, Keke Palmer received praise for her performance in Peacock's horror comedy series "The Burbs," according to Variety. The show, created by Celeste Hughey, is inspired by the 1989 film and explores the secrets and horrors of suburbia.
Additionally, Variety reported that a recent exhibition at Oregon Contemporary showcased Ursula K. Le Guin's typewriter, allowing visitors to interact with the machine and connect with her legacy. Other news included the passing of several figures, the State Department's archiving of X posts, and Metta World Peace's reflections on Kobe Bryant's work ethic. Kumail Nanjiani also delivered a comedic monologue at the Directors Guild Awards.
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