House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y, slammed President Donald Trump on Friday for posting a racist video of former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama pictured in the bodies of apes.
His response? “F—k Donald Trump,” said Jeffries in a video posted to Instagram on Friday, bleeping himself.
The now-deleted Truth Social post video drew harsh criticism from the minority leader, calling Trump “an unhinged bottom feeder” while arguing the video was “intentionally” posted.
Jeffries, the first Black lawmaker to lead a party in Congress, defended the Obamas in his video, calling them “brilliant” Americans.
“President Obama and Michelle Obama are brilliant, caring and patriotic Americans,” said Jeffries in the 39-second clip. “They represent the best of this country.”
He continued, calling on Republicans to denounce the racist video — naming Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D, and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., specifically. Notably, those lawmakers have not yet publicly commented on the video.
“It’s time for John Thune, Mike Johnson and Republicans to denounce this serial fraudster who’s sitting at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue pretending to be the President of the United States,” said Jeffries.
The minority leader has previously been the target of an AI-generated video posted on Trump’s Truth Social account, where Jeffries was depicted wearing a sombrero and with a fake mustache. The video was posted hours after a meeting between Democratic leaders and Trump back in September, ahead of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
“Mr. President, the next time you have something to say about me. Don’t cop out through a racist and fake AI video,” said Jeffries in response to the AI video posted with him. “When I’m back in the Oval Office, say it to my face.”
The racist video gathered backlash from Republicans as well, in a rare break with the White House’s rhetoric.
Senator Tim Scott, R-S.C., the only Black Republican lawmaker in the upper chamber and the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, was among the first to condemn the video depicting the Obamas.
“Praying it was fake because it’s the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House,” said Scott in a post on X. “The President should remove it.”
Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb, who is retiring from Congress at the end of his current term, told MS NOW the Obamas are owed an apology.
“What the President posted was highly inappropriate. He owes the Obama family and the American people an apology,” said Bacon in a statement to MS NOW. “Most Americans demand better, including basic decency from our President.”
Speaking to reporters on Air Force One Friday night, President Trump refused to apologize for posting the video, saying, “No, I didn’t make a mistake.”
Mychael Schnell contributed reporting.
Syedah Asghar
Syedah Asghar covers Congress for MSNBC.