Recently, a social media post showing former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes caused a major media firestorm. The image was offensive, insulting and wrong. Comparing black people to apes has a long and painful racist history, and that fact should not be ignored or defended.
The "ape" comparison was the primary weapon used by Democrats to keep black Americans in chains and falsely claim they were incapable of intelligence and leadership. Donald Trump and his political operatives know this.
Trump understands left-wing media better than almost any modern politician. He knows how news cycles work and how quickly outrage can spread. Most of all, he knows how deeply the political left is focused on race.
That is why this story matters – less for what was posted and more for how the media reacted and how Trump responded when asked about it.
When Trump was interviewed, many expected an apology. Instead, he refused.
That refusal was the giveaway. It was not an endorsement of the post. It was a strategy. By refusing to apologize, Trump kept the story alive, pulling the media in deeper. Outrage needs conflict to survive. Without resistance, it fades.
Stories like this are a gift to left-wing media. They do not have to investigate policy or explain complex issues like inflation, the border, crime, or foreign wars. Instead, they can focus on moral outrage, run dramatic headlines, and accuse conservatives as a group. They can simply point, gasp and repeat. That is the dream scenario for an industry that thrives on outrage clicks, moral signaling, and keeping their viewers angry.
When a story fits that worldview, it becomes irresistible. It confirms what they already believe. In those moments, the story becomes proof of a bigger moral failure.
In this case, the liberal media didn’t need to exaggerate or invent a controversy, as they sometimes do. I know about this from experience. The post was real, and it was offensive. That made it even more powerful. Once the story broke, cable news panels appeared immediately. Social media exploded. Commentators rushed to label Trump a racist.
The Liberal Hypocrisy: The “Rocking Chair” for Condoleezza Rice
Liberals have played this game for decades, but the fury should not be directed at only one side.
Alabama’s own Condoleezza Rice is a clear example. Rice is brilliant, disciplined, and accomplished at the highest levels of government. Yet because she did not follow the liberal political system, she was treated with open disrespect.
In past commentary and cartoons, Rice was depicted using old “mammy” and servant-style imagery, including rocking chair tropes meant to strip her of authority and dignity. The message was clear: because she was a black conservative and thought for herself, she could be reduced to a stereotype from the 19th century.
What is most revealing is the silence that followed this imagery. There was no widespread outcry from the left, especially from the black community. No sustained media outrage. No long news cycle of moral concern.
Going Down the Rabbit Hole
Trump knows the left will chase these stories repeatedly, even when voters care about other issues. While the media focuses on outrage, Trump stays at the center of attention without spending money or holding events.
Many everyday Americans see something different from what the media sees. They see rising prices at the grocery store. They worry about public safety and job security. They watch politicians argue on TV about social media posts while real problems go unsolved.
That does not mean offensive behavior should be excused. It should not. Racist imagery is wrong, no matter who shares it. But it does mean the media should examine its own behavior. Why does every mistake by someone on the right become a story about all conservatives, while similar behavior on the left is often explained away or ignored?
Who benefits while the people are arguing?
Trump’s response was not about morality – it was about control. He knows the media will chase outrage. He knows the left cannot resist racial controversy. And he knows that while journalists believe they are damaging him, they are often helping him stay relevant.
In the end, this story did not bring the country closer together. It did not solve real problems. It only showed, once again, how easy it is for outrage to replace serious discussion – and how skilled Trump is at letting the media fall into the same trap over and over again.
KCarl Smith is the author of Frederick Douglass Republicans, Telling Conservatives the Truth, Douglass vs. Marx, and its companion guide, Unchained Ascent. A leading authority on the modern application of Frederick Douglass’ philosophy, KCarl equips audiences to turn God-given liberty into personal achievement. To book KCarl or find resources, visit the Frederick Douglass Republican Store.
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News. To comment, please send an email with your name and contact information to [email protected].
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