1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my profound disappointment and outrage over the racist video posted to President Trump's Truth Social account depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes. This imagery has a deeply painful history rooted in dehumanizing Black Americans, and its appearance on the president's account is inexcusable. The video, reposted from Patriot News Outlet, showed the Obamas' faces superimposed on primates in a jungle setting. While the White House initially claimed an aide posted it without the president's knowledge, President Trump himself contradicted this explanation by telling reporters he directed aides to post it. When asked if he would apologize, he refused, stating "I didn't make a mistake." This refusal to take responsibility or show remorse is deeply troubling. Senator Tim Scott called it "the most racist thing I've seen out of this White House" and urged its removal. Representative Mike Lawler described it as "wrong and incredibly offensive" and called for an apology. The NAACP's national president Derrick Johnson condemned it as "blatantly racist, disgusting, and utterly despicable." These voices represent a moral clarity that should be universal, not partisan. The Obamas served this nation with dignity and distinction. They deserve respect, not racist attacks. This incident is part of a disturbing pattern during this administration that has included frequent attacks on Representative Ilhan Omar and immigrants, with minimal Republican opposition. I urge you to publicly condemn this racist video and demand that President Trump issue a formal apology to the Obamas and the American people. Silence in the face of such blatant racism is complicity. Our elected officials must draw clear lines about what is acceptable conduct from any president, regardless of party affiliation. The dignity of the office and basic human decency require nothing less.