3 months ago
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U.S. President Donald Trump hosted a White House reception for Black History Month connected Wednesday (February 18, 2026), little than 2 weeks aft helium sparked a bipartisan outcry by posting a racist video connected societal media that depicted erstwhile President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, arsenic primates successful a jungle.
Mr. Trump connected Wednesday didn't notation the video, which helium deleted aft a wide backlash, but said helium won't apologise for posting. He besides did not notation Barack Obama, the nation's archetypal Black president, but spoke of different history-making Black Americans.
“We observe Black History Month. We grant the representation of those who came earlier america by continuing their legacy,” helium said.
Mr. Trump name-checked salient Black Americans among his supporters, including boxer Mike Tyson, whom Mr. Trump praised for defending him against accusations of racism, and rapper Nicki Minaj, whose tegument helium praised arsenic “so beautiful” portion commenting connected however agelong her fingernails were.
The Republican President brought onstage respective members of his administration, including Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner and White House pardon czar Alice Marie Johnson.
“As you look retired upon this oversea of Black Americans, this president hears you. This president cares for you. Don't fto anyone archer you that this president close here, Donald Trump has not — is not for Black America," Ms. Johnson said. “Because helium is.”
Mr. Trump listed ways helium said his policies benefited Black Americans, including the instrumentality helium signed past twelvemonth eliminating national income taxes connected tips and his deployment of National Guard troops “to bring backmost safety” successful cities with ample populations of Black residents, specified arsenic Washington, New Orleans and Memphis, Tennessee.
The reception came the time aft Mr. Trump proclaimed successful different societal media station that helium has been “falsely and consistently called a Racist by the Scoundrels and Lunatics connected the Radical Left,” successful a connection that was meant to wage tribute to the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who died Tuesday.
In effect to a question astir the post, White House property caput Karoline Leavitt said earlier Wednesday: “There is simply a batch this president has done for each Americans, careless of race. And helium has perfectly been falsely called and smeared arsenic a racist."
