​​​​​​WASHINGTON

US President Donald Trump deleted a racist video Friday that portrayed former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama as apes following seething bipartisan criticism.

The White House had earlier defended the early morning post with spokesperson Karoline Leavitt calling the criticism "fake outrage." Hours later, it was removed from the president's Truth Social account with reports citing an anonymous official who blamed a staffer for the video being sent.

The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

The apparently AI-generated video was set to the "Lion Sleeps Tonight," a song made famous by Disney's The Lion King film. In it, the faces of the former president and first lady are placed atop the bodies of apes, widely smiling, perpetuating several tropes made against Black people.

The post mocking America's first Black president was made during Black History Month, a time dedicated to honoring the milestones, contributions and history of Black Americans.

The video faced sweeping backlash, including from Trump’s fellow Republicans.

"Praying it was fake because it’s the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House. The President should remove it," Sen. Tim Scott, the chamber's sole Black Republican, wrote on US social media platform X.

Sen. Roger Wicker, a Republican from Mississippi, the state with the largest share of Black voters, called the post "totally unacceptable" and urged Trump to "take it down and apologize."

Trump has offered no comment on the controversy, and has not been seen in public Friday. The Obamas declined to comment on the video.

"President Obama and Michelle Obama are brilliant, compassionate and patriotic Americans. They represent the best of this country. Donald Trump is a vile, unhinged and malignant bottom feeder," said Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the highest-ranking Black member in the history of the House of Representatives.

"Why are GOP leaders like John Thune continuing to stand by this sick individual? Every single Republican must immediately denounce Donald Trump’s disgusting bigotry," he added.