Washington– since then Racist video It was posted on President Donald Trump’s social media account, and the White House offered mixed responses.
At first, she dismissed the “fake anger” statement, then deleted the post and blamed a staff member.
Trump later told reporters on Friday, “I did nothing wrong.” The Republican president insisted that before the video was released, no one had seen the part depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as presidents in the jungle.
But the head of the Congressional Black Caucus had a different explanation when she spoke to The Associated Press.
“It’s very clear that there was intent to hurt people, to hurt people with this video,” said Rep. Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y.
The AP interviewed Clark, who leads the group of more than 60 Black House and Senate members, hours after the video was deleted on Friday, and she was forceful in her criticism. “As my mother says, it’s too late. Mercy is gone,” Clark said.
Below is a transcript of the interview, which has been edited for length and clarity.
AP: What was your reaction when you saw that post?
Clark: We are dealing with a bigoted and racist regime. … Every week, we, as the American people, are in a position where we have to respond to something very cruel or something very disgusting that this administration is doing. It’s part of their MO at this point.
AB: Do you believe the White House’s explanation that this was an aide’s fault?
Clark: They’re not telling the truth. If there wasn’t a toxic, racist climate inside the White House, we wouldn’t see this kind of behavior no matter who came from it. …And here we are, in 2026, celebrating 250th anniversary United States of America, 100th anniversary of its founding Commemorating Black HistoryThis is what is coming out of the White House on Friday morning. It is beneath us all.
AP: Was there any communication between the White House and the Congressional Black Caucus about this issue? Can there be any exchange in good faith?
Clark: There has been no communication from the White House. We certainly didn’t expect it to be there. Communication needs to happen before this kind of juvenile antics occur.
Associated Press: Republican criticism grew more rapidly on Friday than during the previous controversy over Trump. What do you make of it?
Clark: It is not lost on them, and our communities that we represent, that the election is coming. So it’s not lost on my colleagues either. If they want to align themselves with this kind of truly vile portrayal, this kind of bigoted, racist attack on a former president and his wife, then they are meeting their fate with someone who has shown himself to be a disgrace.
AFP: It’s not common for President Trump to back down from anything. What does that indicate to you that he did?
Clark: I think it’s more of a political expediency than any moral compass. …As my mother says, “It’s too late. Mercy is gone.”
AP: What do you hope to see from the White House on this topic?
Clark: I hope we can contain the damage they’re doing. There are black kids who listen to their president… and see what he posts on Truth Social (and) that will have an impact on how they view leadership in their country. …I believe this administration has an opportunity to change course. They always do. We leave room for that. But it is unfortunate that Donald Trump adheres to this method.
AB: Is there anything else you would like to add?
Clark: As a democracy, we have to stand together against this kind of racism, this kind of bigotry, this kind of hatred coming from the president of the United States and those around him. … It’s very clear that there is an intent to hurt people, to hurt people, with this video. Otherwise he wouldn’t have stayed awake for 12 hours.
___ Barrow reported from Atlanta.