Trump's offensive post provokes questions about the role of racism in his MAGA support

The Briefing with Jen Psaki

MS NOW, Jen Psaki

Politics, News, Ms Now, Versant Media, Versant

4.4 • 975 Ratings

🗓️ 7 February 2026

⏱️ 43 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

The panicked response by Donald Trump and his White House support staff to the backlash against his racist social media post suggest Trump miscalculated how much racism the American people are willing to tolerate, which may be a reflection of the bubble in which he lives. Janai Nelson, president and director-counsel of the Legal Defense Fund, and Eddie Glaude, a professor at Princeton University, talk with Michael Steele about the regressive nature of Trump's brazen racism and the extent to which Trump's racism is reflected in attitudes among the general American public.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Donald Trump. Settle in for this one, folks, because he's just reminded the country who he really is.
0:07.0	And this time, even some of his hardcore supporters can't bring themselves to defend him.
0:12.2	Because late last night, on Trump's social media account, he reposted a vile and racist video
0:18.6	that depicted our nation's first black president and
0:21.4	first lady as apes. It is an unambiguous play on one of the oldest country's oldest and most
0:28.7	tired. Let me tell you how tired it is. Racist tropes. At first, the Trump administration did what
0:36.2	they always do.
0:39.8	Defend the president and attack the press.
0:44.4	White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt said in a statement to reporters, quote,
0:50.2	This is from an internet meme video depicting President Trump as the king of the jungle and Democrats' characters from the Lion King.
0:53.4	Please stop the fake outrage and report on something today
0:56.4	that actually matters to the American public.
0:59.8	Quick note for the press secretary.
1:02.4	There are no apes in the Lion King.
1:05.8	And the backlash to Trump's post was swift and severe,
1:08.6	especially from House Democratic leader, Hakeem
1:11.5	Jeffries.
1:13.4	This disgusting video posted by the so-called president was done intentionally.
1:19.1	Donald Trump and his vile, racist, and malignant behavior.
1:25.3	This guy is an unhinged bottom feeder.
1:29.5	President Obama and Michelle Obama are brilliant, caring, and patriotic Americans.
1:35.0	They represent the best of this country.
	...

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