White House Press Secretary Dismisses Criticism of Trump's Controversial AI Video
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has firmly dismissed the widespread outrage over a video shared by President Donald Trump that depicted former President Barack Obama and other prominent Democrats as various animals. Leavitt labeled the criticism as "fake outrage," asserting that the content originated from an internet meme video that portrayed Trump as the "King of the Jungle" and Democrats as characters from the popular Disney film 'The Lion King'.
Leavitt Urges Media to Focus on Substantive Issues
In a pointed statement issued to Newsweek, Leavitt called on the media to redirect their attention toward matters of genuine importance to the American public. "Please stop the fake outrage and report on something today that actually matters to the American public," she emphasized, downplaying the significance of the viral video controversy.
Details of the AI-Generated Video and Its Content
The video in question, which was generated using artificial intelligence, was initially posted on the social media platform X in October 2025. It featured a series of animated scenes showing numerous Democratic figures bowing down to President Trump, with each individual depicted as a specific animal. The full video included the following portrayals:
- President Joe Biden as a baboon
- Vice President Kamala Harris as a tortoise
- Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer as a zebra
- House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries as a meerkat
- Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as a donkey
- New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani as a hyena
- Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as a warthog
Creator Claims Responsibility Amid Backlash
The content creator known as Xerias publicly took credit for the main video, which garnered significant backlash after President Trump shared it on his social media accounts. The dissemination of the video sparked a fierce political and social media firestorm, with critics condemning it as racially insensitive and offensive.
Strong Reactions from Political Figures
The video elicited sharp condemnations from both Democratic and Republican leaders. California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom expressed his disgust in a post on X, stating, "Disgusting behavior by the President. Every single Republican must denounce this. Now."
Adding to the criticism, Republican Senator Tim Scott voiced his concerns on X, writing, "Praying it was fake because it’s the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House. The President should remove it." His remarks highlighted the bipartisan nature of the disapproval, underscoring the video's controversial impact across political lines.
Broader Implications and Public Discourse
This incident has ignited a broader debate about the use of AI-generated content in political discourse and the boundaries of acceptable satire. While the White House maintains that the video is merely a humorous meme, opponents argue that it perpetuates harmful stereotypes and undermines civil political dialogue. The controversy continues to unfold, with ongoing discussions about accountability, digital ethics, and the role of social media in shaping public perception.
