Live updates: White House blames 'staffer' for racist Obamas post shared by Trump
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The White House initially defended the post, which depicted the former president and first lady as apes. Following widespread bipartisan backlash, the post was removed.
President Donald Trump speaks during the 74th annual National Prayer Breakfast in Washington on Thursday. Alex Wong / Getty Images
What to know today...
- TRUMP'S RACIST POST: President Donald Trump removed a video clip he shared last night on his Truth Social account that depicted former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as apes. The White House initially defended the video, but later blamed the post on a "staffer."
- SOCIAL MEDIA REACTION: The post drew widespread backlash on social media, including from prominent Republicans. South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, the only Black Republican in the chamber, called the post "the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House."
- IRAN TALKS: Top Trump administration officials do not yet have clear guidance on what Trump would hope to accomplish with military action in Iran, as U.S. and Iranian officials met indirectly today to try to avoid a war, two U.S. officials said.
- NEW JERSEY ELECTION: The Democratic primary for the special election in New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District is too close to call. Progressive activist Analilia Mejia leads the vote count against former Rep. Tom Malinowski, who represented the neighboring 7th District for two terms.
Trump expected to sign an executive order to import more Argentinian beef this afternoon
Trump is expected to sign an executive order this afternoon quadrupling the amount of beef imported into the United States from Argentina, according to two White House officials. The order comes after the U.S. and Argentina signed a trade deal on Thursday, slashing tariffs between the two countries.
This is expected to be one of several orders the president will sign today, NBC News is told. White House officials did not preview the other orders.
When Trump first floated the idea — designed, according to the president, to keep beef prices down in the U.S. — Republicans on Capitol Hill pushed back on the administration’s plans to import beef from the South American country at a time when many American farmers are struggling.
Ranchers also pushed back on the administration’s plans, from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association to the National Farmers Union.
Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., posted on X at the time, encouraging the White House “to focus on trade deals that benefit our ag producers — not imports that will do more harm than good.” Other Republicans, like Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., told NBC News that the move was not putting America First.
Sen. Wyden to intro bill preventing a payout in Trump's IRS lawsuit
Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., plans to introduce legislation next week to prohibit Trump from pocketing money from an IRS lawsuit he filed last month, according to spokesperson Ryan Carey.
Wyden and others have raised questions about Trump's lawsuit — which seeks $10 billion in damages over the leak of his tax records in his first term — against the government he oversees.
He and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., coauthored a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent this week expressing concern that rather than fight Trump's lawsuit on behalf of their agencies, Cabinet members "intend not only to capitulate to Trump, but coordinate with him in this brazen theft from the American people."
Trump has said he will give any taxpayer dollars he receives from the lawsuit to charity, including in his recent interview with "NBC Nightly News" anchor Tom Llamas. Though he has also joked with a crowd of supporters: "Maybe I should keep the money."
Wyden's new bill would propose a 100% tax on any litigation proceeds and settlement in the case, Carey said, meaning Trump would have no windfall to give to charity.
Nevada GOP Rep. Mark Amodei announces retirement
Rep. Mark Amodei, R-Nev., said he will not run for re-election in a post on X.
Amodei said he looks forward to finishing his term in Congress and that serving Nevada was the honor of his lifetime.
Rep. Mark Amodei, R-Nev., during a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, in December. Andrew Harnik / Getty Images file
"After 15 years of service, I believe it is the right time for Nevada and myself to pass the torch," Amodei wrote.
Amodei is the 31st House Republican to announce their retirement from Congress, according to the House Press Gallery.
Some Republicans demand Trump apologize after racist video of the Obamas was removed from the president's account
More Republicans continue to speak out against a video posted on Trump’s Truth Social account that depicts the Obamas as apes, even after it was removed from the president's account.
Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, described the video as “blatantly racist and inexcusable,” saying it should have never been posted or left up for so long in a post on X. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., also said in a X post that the video should have never been posted, adding it is “not who we are as a nation.”
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., demanded a “clear and unequivocal apology” from Trump.
“Whether intentional or careless, this post is a grave failure of judgment and is absolutely unacceptable from anyone—most especially from the President of the United States,” Fitzpatrick wrote in an X post.
Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, also demanded Trump apologize for the racist imagery.
Trump launches discount prescription drug site, TrumpRx.gov
The president yesterday announced the launch of TrumpRx.gov, a new self-pay prescription drug website that offers discounted cash prices on 43 brand-name medications.
White House blames 'staffer' for racist video of the Obamas
The racist video of the Obamas that Trump shared on Truth Social late last night has been taken down following a drumbeat of highly critical responses from Republican lawmakers.
A White House official told NBC News: "A White House staffer erroneously made the post. It has been taken down."
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt had initially defended the post as "an internet meme video."
"NBC Nightly News" anchor Tom Llamas asked Trump during an interview earlier this week about some of the election conspiracy theories he has posted to social media. Trump seemed to wave off the issue, saying he didn’t actually believe everything he'd posted. "Sometimes I will retweet," he said of his posting habits. "I’ll retruth."
Gateway Tunnel project between New York and New Jersey halted due to lack of federal funding
Construction of the Gateway Tunnel project under the Hudson River to connect New York and New Jersey was halted today due to a pause in federal funding.
The pause in building results in the immediate loss of nearly 1,000 jobs, according to a press release from the project, and an extended pause could put about 11,000 construction jobs at risk.
Construction workers at the Hudson Gateway Tunnel project in Manhattan, in October. Spencer Platt / Getty Images file
Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., called for a restoration in funding in a video posted on X, saying that the tunnel would lead to improvements in daily commutes and a greater efficiency in the transfer of goods.
The administration halted funding for the $16 billion project when the government shut down last fall. But despite the shutdown ending in November and government funding packages passing this week, the administration has not released the funds.
NBC News reported yesterday that the Trump administration asked Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., for Washington’s Dulles International Airport and New York’s Penn Station to be named after President Donald Trump in exchange for releasing the federal funds required for the Gateway Tunnel project, multiple sources told NBC News.
Vance endorses in GOP primary for Ohio state treasurer
Vice President JD Vance issued an endorsement today in a downballot race in his native Ohio, backing former state Rep. Jay Edwards in a Republican primary for state treasurer.
“Ohio needs leaders who will fight for working families and stand with President Trump’s America First agenda,” Vance wrote in a post on X that pledged the vice president’s “full support.”
Rep. Jay Edwards, at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus, in 2023. Samantha Hendrickson / AP file
“Jay and I are both sons of Appalachia. We know what it’s like to come from places the elites ignore — and we know the strength, pride, and values that built Ohio,” Vance added. “Jay has never forgotten where he came from, and he’s spent his career standing up for Southeast Ohio and putting hardworking people first.”
Vance gave Edwards a shout-out during an event last month in Toledo, Ohio, describing him to the audience as his “dear friend,” but stopped short of endorsing.
It’s rare for Vance to weigh in on a race before Trump does — and a state treasurer’s race is something not typically on the president’s radar. Vance received permission from Trump and senior White House political staffers to make this endorsement in his home state, a person familiar with the process told NBC News.
The endorsement also represents a split between Vance and Vivek Ramaswamy, a political ally who has Trump’s and Vance’s support in this year’s race for Ohio governor. Ramaswamy has endorsed state Sen. Kristina Roegner in the GOP primary for state treasurer.
Lawmakers condemn racist video clip Trump posted depicting the Obamas as apes
Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle sharply denounced Trump this morning after he shared a video on Truth Social last night that included a clip depicting former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as monkeys.
Only a few Republicans criticized the president, while many Democrats rebuked him, as well as other GOP colleagues for not speaking out.
“Praying it was fake because it’s the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House," Tim Scott, of South Carolina, the only Black Republican senator, wrote on X. "The President should remove it.”
Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., who faces a competitive re-election race, wrote on X, “The President’s post is wrong and incredibly offensive — whether intentional or a mistake — and should be deleted immediately with an apology offered.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called Trump’s post “Racist. Vile. Abhorrent,” in a statement on X.
“This is dangerous and degrades our country — where are Senate Republicans?" Schumer wrote. "The President must immediately delete the post and apologize to Barack and Michelle Obama, two great Americans who make Donald Trump look like a small, envious man.”
Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., called the video share "sadly par for the course for a President who revels in his cruelty and racism. When will Republicans draw the line and call out this vile conduct?"
Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Mo., a former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, wrote in response to Trump's post, "Every day, the President of the United States calls on Americans to join him in being the worst versions of themselves. I hope that every elected official and American will refuse, and join me in condemning this vile, racist post."
House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, D-Mass., said it was "an absolute embarrassment that the President continues to use a bully pulpit out of his own insecurity. Every single Republican should be denouncing this bigotry.”
"Reposting racist attacks on the Obamas is disgusting and dangerous," Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., wrote. "Trump knows exactly what he’s doing. Republicans need to find their spine and condemn this clearly and publicly."
Rubio calls for new nuclear arms control agreement with Russia and China to replace New START
Secretary of State Rubio is calling for a three-way arms control agreement between the U.S., Russia and China following the expiration of New START.
“A new era requires a new approach. Not the same old START, but something new,” Rubio wrote yesterday on Substack. “A treaty that reflects that the United States could soon face not one, but two, nuclear peers in Russia and China.”
The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), which limited U.S. and Russian missile and warhead deployments, expired on Thursday after President Trump allowed the agreement to lapse. Probal Rashid / LightRocket via Getty Images
Thomas DiNanno, undersecretary of state for arms control, reiterated the call for a treaty between the three nuclear powers in public remarks at a disarmament conference in Geneva yesterday, where Russia and China were present. DiNanno also accused China of conducting a secret nuclear test in 2020.
“China has conducted nuclear explosive tests, including preparing for tests with designated yields in the hundreds of tons … China has used decoupling — a method to decrease the effectiveness of seismic monitoring — to hide its activities from the world,” Dinanno wrote on X. “China conducted one such yield producing nuclear test on June 22, 2020.”
China has said it will not participate in arms control talks for the time being. Russia said yesterday that both the U.S. and Russia recognized the need for an early start to negotiations for a new treaty.
“Of course, the provisions could in some way be formally extended. Informal extensions in such an area are hardly conceivable,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters. “But there is an understanding — this was also discussed in Abu Dhabi — that both sides will take responsible positions.”
Rubio acknowledged that the negotiations between the three nations would be difficult, and reaching past arms control agreements even with the two powers had taken years, but “just because something is hard does not mean we should not pursue it or settle for less.”
In the meantime, Russia and China “should not expect the United States to stand still while they shirk their obligations and expand their nuclear forces,” the top U.S. diplomat wrote.
“We will maintain a robust, credible, and modernized nuclear deterrent,” Rubio said. “But we will do so while pursuing all avenues to fulfill the President’s genuine desire for a world with fewer of these awful weapons.”
Trump shares racist video depicting the Obamas as monkeys
Trump shared a video clip on his Truth Social account late last night that depicted former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as monkeys.
The roughly minute-long video otherwise focused on false election fraud claims about the 2020 presidential election, but at the very end it suddenly flashed to a clip of the Obamas’ faces superimposed on the heads of cartoon apes as the song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” by The Tokens played in the background.
The imagery, which evokes longstanding racist tropes against Black people, comes during Black History Month, which honors the accomplishments and contributions of Black Americans. Barack Obama made U.S. history as the first Black president.
A White House official responded to NBC News’ request for comment Friday morning with a statement: “This is from an internet meme video depicting President Trump as the King of the Jungle and Democrats as characters from the Lion King. Please stop the fake outrage and report on something today that actually matters to the American public.”
How Trump’s $10 billion suit against his own government could go sideways
It would seem a surefire path to a payout.
A sitting president files suit demanding $10 billion in damages from a federal government he oversees, alleging he’s been wronged in his personal capacity. That scenario would appear to give him final say on whether he walks away with a settlement and just how big it should be.
As Trump describes it, any taxpayer money that he gets from the suit that he, his two oldest sons and the Trump Organization filed last month against the IRS and the Treasury Department would go to worthy causes.
“And any money that I win, I’ll give it to charity, 100% to charities, charities that will be approved by government or whatever,” the president said Wednesday in an interview with “NBC Nightly News” anchor Tom Llamas.
If things get to that point. Any number of developments in and out of the courtroom could sidetrack a settlement arising from Trump’s complaint, legal experts, lawmakers and ethics specialists told NBC News.
Steve Kornacki: Democratic primary season kicks off with an anti-establishment earthquake
There’s no official winner yet, but the Democratic primary for the special election in New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District already amounts to a political earthquake in the state.
In an improbable twist that not long ago might have been altogether impossible, a progressive activist and organizer backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., leads the vote count. Analilia Mejia is slightly ahead of former Rep. Tom Malinowski, who represented the neighboring 7th District for two terms and relocated in an effort to relaunch his political career.
Yes, it’s hardly unheard of in this political moment for a left-wing insurgent like Mejia to score an upset in a Democratic contest. But what makes her potential victory so remarkable is where it may be happening, if she holds her lead in this too-close-to-call race.
Democrats involved in ‘illegal orders’ video say they won’t cooperate with DOJ probe
Two Democrats who participated in a video that urged members of the military and the intelligence community not to follow illegal orders are refusing to comply with an investigation by the Justice Department.
Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., said in a post yesterday that she sent a letter informing Attorney General Pam Bondi and the U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C., Jeanine Pirro, that she would not comply with the DOJ’s inquiries or their request that she sit for an interview on the video.
Slotkin said that the Trump administration is “purposely using physical and legal intimidation to get me to shut up.”
“But more importantly, they’re using that intimidation to deter others from speaking out against their administration. The intimidation is the point, and I’m not going to go along with that,” Slotkin said in her post.
Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., said in her own post yesterday that she would also refuse to comply with the DOJ’s “request for me to submit to a voluntary interview” about the video.
“I will not be doing that,” Houlahan said. She continued, “What is happening now crosses a line when the power of the federal government is turned toward intimidating people.”
Trump’s objectives in Iran unclear ahead of talks, sources say
Top administration officials do not yet have clear guidance on what Trump would hope to accomplish with military action in Iran as U.S. and Iranian officials plan to meet today to try to avoid a war, according to two U.S. officials.
While Trump has left open the possibility of pursuing regime change in Iran, the two U.S. officials said he has not yet settled on precisely what his objectives for any possible military action would be. They also said there is no clear road map or consensus within the administration over what role the U.S. would play after any such operation.
Asked Wednesday in an interview with NBC News whether Iran’s supreme leader should be worried, Trump said: “I would say he should be very worried, yeah. He should be.”
Trump wanted Dulles Airport, Penn Station named after him — in exchange for releasing federal funds
The Trump administration asked Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., for the Washington region’s Dulles International Airport and New York’s Penn Station to be named after Trump in exchange for releasing the federal funds required to build a long-delayed tunnel between New York and New Jersey, multiple sources told NBC News.
The administration halted funding for the $16 billion Gateway project at the start of the federal government shutdown last fall. But even though the shutdown ended in November and the full appropriations packages passed this week, the administration has yet to release the money.
FBI invites state election officials to an ‘unusual’ briefing on the midterms
Days after a tense gathering in Washington, D.C., laid bare growing acrimony between Trump administration and state election officials, the FBI invited those same officials to discuss “preparations” for the midterm elections.
The invitation, which was first reported by Crooked Media and confirmed to NBC News by an election official who received it, is scheduled for Feb. 25 and will include the FBI, the Justice and Homeland Security departments, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Election Assistance Commission.
Hard-fought New Jersey election too close to call, as Democrats debate over the party’s future
The Democratic primary race to fill a vacant, safely blue House seat in New Jersey is too close to call last night, NBC News projects.
The campaign between progressive activist Analilia Mejia and former Rep. Tom Malinowski turned into an expensive competition between interest groups, political figures and cash-flush super PACs hoping to shape the future of the Democratic Party one district at a time.
Mejia and Malinowski are locked in a tight race for the nomination in New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District. Mejia had 28.7% of the vote to Malinowski’s 28.0% with 91% of the expected vote counted late yesterday.
The Democratic winner is set to face Republican Joe Hathaway, who is unopposed for his nomination, in an April 16 general election.
