White House Staff Say Donald Trump is ‘Off His Meds’ After Posting Video of Barack and Michelle Obama as Apes

Donald Trump’s Controversial Video Sparks Alarm Among White House Staff

In a recent and highly disturbing episode, former President Donald Trump posted a video on his social media platform that depicted Barack and Michelle Obama as apes. This offensive and racist content remained online for approximately 12 hours before it was finally removed, causing significant backlash both within political circles and among the public. According to sources close to the White House, staffers expressed deep concern about Trump’s mental health, suggesting that he appeared to be “off his meds” following this incident.

Michael Wolff, a well-known biographer of Trump, shared insights during an interview on *Inside Trump’s Head* with Joanna Coles. He revealed that White House officials were stunned and alarmed by the video, with some explicitly stating that Trump’s behavior indicated he was not in a stable mental state. This phrase, “off his meds,” has since become a shorthand among insiders to describe the former president’s increasingly erratic and unpredictable actions.

The Fallout Within the Republican Party

The repercussions of Trump’s post extended beyond the White House, stirring unease among Republican politicians. Even members of the GOP publicly condemned the video, recognizing the potential damage it could inflict on the party’s image and electoral prospects. Mick Mulvaney, Trump’s former chief of staff, voiced his concerns on NewsNation, emphasizing how vulnerable Republican incumbents were “beside themselves” at the prospect of defending such a divisive and offensive post to voters.

Mulvaney warned that the video could be disastrous for Republicans, especially with the 2026 midterm elections on the horizon. The fear is that Trump’s actions might alienate moderate voters and energize opposition, complicating the party’s efforts to maintain or expand its influence in Congress.

White House Reaction and Attempts to Downplay the Incident

In the immediate aftermath of the video’s circulation, the White House scrambled to manage the fallout. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt attempted to minimize the controversy by suggesting the video was a reference to *The Lion King*, a claim that was quickly debunked given that the film does not feature apes. This explanation was widely viewed as disingenuous and failed to quell the outrage.

Subsequently, the administration hinted that an unnamed staffer might have been responsible for uploading the video, distancing Trump from direct involvement. However, Trump himself contradicted this narrative during a conversation on Air Force One. He admitted to seeing only the beginning of the clip and claimed ignorance of the offensive content at the end, stating, “I guess, during the end of it, there was some kind of a thing that people don’t like. I wouldn’t like it either, but I didn’t see it.”

This inconsistent messaging has further fueled speculation about Trump’s state of mind and the internal dynamics within his team.

Insights from Michael Wolff: The Broader Context of Trump’s Behavior

Michael Wolff, who has extensively chronicled Trump’s presidency and post-presidency, offered a broader perspective on the former president’s behavior. He noted that Trump’s frequent and often manic posting on Truth Social serves as a venting mechanism, allowing him to express thoughts and emotions that might otherwise remain hidden.

Wolff pointed out that while Trump’s activity on Truth Social is largely invisible to the mainstream public—since he is the only major figure on the platform—it reveals a pattern of “profoundly peculiar” behavior. He explained that the media can only report on the most incendiary posts, but beneath those headlines lies a continuous stream of erratic and troubling content that paints a worrying picture of Trump’s mental state.

The biographer also highlighted the challenge for news organizations in covering such behavior. “You can’t produce a headline that says, ‘The president of the United States went bats— nuts last night,’” Wolff remarked, underscoring the difficulty in conveying the full extent of Trump’s instability without sensationalizing or overwhelming the audience.

What This Means for the Future

The incident involving the racist video and the subsequent reactions from White House staff and GOP officials raise important questions about Donald Trump’s future role in American politics. His erratic behavior and controversial posts could have lasting consequences for his political ambitions and the Republican Party’s strategy moving forward.

For Republicans, the challenge lies in balancing loyalty to Trump’s base with the need to appeal to a broader electorate. The 2026 midterms will be a critical test of whether the party can navigate this complex landscape without being overshadowed by Trump’s increasingly unpredictable actions.

Conclusion: Staying Informed and Engaged

The recent controversy surrounding Donald Trump’s post of a racist video depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes has exposed deep concerns among White House staff and Republican leaders alike. Descriptions of Trump as “off his meds” reflect growing unease about his mental state and the potential implications for American politics.

As this story continues to develop, it is crucial for voters and political observers to stay informed about the latest updates and understand the broader context of these events. To keep up with breaking news and expert analysis on this and other political issues, subscribe to our newsletter and join the conversation today. Your engagement is vital in shaping the future of our democracy.