Washington, DC – A video shared on US President Donald Trump’s Truth Social account, which included a clip portraying former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes, was removed on February 6, 2026, following intense criticism from both Democrats and Republicans. The post, made late on February 5, remained online for approximately 12 hours before being taken down.
The 62-second video primarily focused on unsubstantiated claims of voting machine tampering during the 2020 presidential election. Near the end, it transitioned to a brief, apparently AI-generated segment where the Obamas’ faces were superimposed on dancing primates in a jungle setting, accompanied by the song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” The clip originated from a parody of “The Lion King” created by a pro-Trump meme account.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt initially described the video as an “internet meme” and dismissed the ensuing controversy as “fake outrage” from the media, urging a focus on public priorities instead. Later, a White House official stated that a staffer had “erroneously” uploaded the post, leading to its removal.
President Trump addressed the incident on February 6, stating that he had not viewed the entire video before approving its posting and had not seen the offensive segment. When asked if he would apologize, Trump responded, “No, I didn’t make a mistake.” He condemned the racist content but maintained he bore no responsibility for it.
The depiction drew swift condemnation for invoking a long-standing racist trope that equates Black individuals with apes, a practice rooted in 18th- and 19th-century pseudoscience and cultural stereotypes used to dehumanize people of African descent. This incident occurred during the first week of Black History Month in the US.
Democratic leaders were vocal in their responses. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries praised the Obamas as “brilliant, compassionate, and patriotic Americans” while labeling Trump “vile, malignant, and a bottom feeder.” California Governor Gavin Newsom called on all Republicans to denounce the president.
Bipartisan backlash included criticism from Republican figures. Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker described the post as “unacceptable.” Several other Republican senators echoed calls for its removal, marking an unusual public rebuke from within Trump’s party.
This event adds to prior accusations of racism against Trump, including his past references to African nations as derogatory terms during his first term in office. The video was part of a late-night series of posts from Trump’s account amplifying election-related conspiracy theories, despite repeated findings by courts and officials that no widespread fraud occurred in 2020.
Discussions on social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), highlighted public outrage, with users sharing news reports and expressing dismay over the content. The removal of the video represents a rare retraction for Trump, who typically stands firm on his social media activity.
Tragic Drowning of Police Constable in North West Province During Pursuit
Phokeng, North West Province – A 25-year-old police officer has died after drowning while pursuing a suspect in a dam during routine patrol duties.
Constable Gift Mota, attached to the Visible Policing Crime Prevention Unit at Phokeng, was on duty with colleagues when a community member reported sighting a suspect connected to local robbery and burglary cases. The incident occurred in a bushy area between the Masosobane and Raffredy sections, near a dam in the Phokeng policing area.
According to details from the North West Province police, the officers accompanied the community member to the location and spotted the suspect. A chase ensued, during which the suspect entered the dam. Constable Mota followed by swimming after the individual but disappeared from view shortly afterward. The police diving unit later recovered his body from the water.
An inquest docket has been opened to examine the circumstances surrounding the drowning. Constable Mota had been transferred to the Phokeng unit in November 2025 and originated from Ermelo in Mpumalanga Province.
Acting Provincial Commissioner of Police in the North West, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, issued a statement expressing condolences to the officer’s family, friends, and colleagues. “We have lost a dedicated police officer who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty while serving and protecting the community,” Naidoo said. “Constable Mota’s bravery and commitment will not be forgotten. The police stand with his family during this painful time and will ensure that they receive the necessary support.” Naidoo also urged communities to collaborate with law enforcement to combat crime and highlighted the risks faced by officers in their daily duties.
Watch: A Woman was violently hijacked and kidnapped in horrifying incident which ended with 4 suspects being fatally shot by police, everything caught on dashcam.
Durban, South Africa – February 6, 2026 – A routine drive on a rural road in Umbumbulu, KwaZulu-Natal, turned into a terrifying ordeal for a young woman when three armed men hijacked her vehicle and kidnapped her at gunpoint. The incident, captured on video, occurred on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, and culminated in a fatal confrontation between suspects and police two days later.
The hijacking unfolded on a quiet, greenery-lined road in Umbumbulu, an area south of Durban. Footage from an internal vehicle camera shows the woman driving alone when the men flagged her down. One suspect, wearing a cap, approached the driver’s side while two others, shirtless, moved to the passenger side. Armed with a firearm, they forced entry into the car. The video depicts one man pointing the gun directly at the woman, who appeared visibly distressed and attempted to verbally resist before complying under threat. The suspects then took control of the vehicle, driving away with the woman still inside.
The victim, whose identity has not been disclosed, was kidnapped along with her car. Reports indicate she was later released or rescued, though no specific details on her condition or any injuries have been confirmed. The event highlighted ongoing safety concerns in the region, prompting public discussions on the value of dashcams for recording such crimes.
The suspects involved in the hijacking were part of a larger criminal group linked to a series of violent offenses in Umbumbulu and surrounding communities. These crimes included armed robberies, house robberies, carjackings, kidnappings, and housebreakings, which had been terrorizing local residents for an extended period.
On Thursday, February 5, 2026, KwaZulu-Natal police launched an intelligence-driven operation in Adams Mission, located in the KwaMakhutha policing area on Sheleni Road, south of Durban. Acting on information connecting the group to the recent hijacking and other incidents, officers confronted the suspects. A violent shootout ensued when the men resisted arrest and opened fire on the police.
During the exchange, four suspects were fatally wounded. One additional suspect managed to escape the scene, prompting an ongoing manhunt by authorities. The vehicle recovered at the site matched descriptions from the Umbumbulu crimes, directly tying the group to the hijacking. Police also seized three unlicensed firearms and ammunition from the location. No officers were injured in the operation.
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi praised the team’s swift and effective response. Official confirmation of the events came from police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda, who detailed the operation’s success in neutralizing the threat posed by the gang.
The shootout startled residents in Adams Mission, a typically quiet area, with reports of intense gunfire echoing through the community. While the action has been noted for potentially reducing crime in nearby regions like Umbumbulu in the short term, it also underscored the challenges faced by families of the deceased suspects.
The video of the hijacking surfaced publicly on February 6, 2026, via social media, drawing attention to the incident and the subsequent police action. Authorities continue to investigate the full extent of the gang’s activities, with efforts focused on apprehending the escaped individual.
This event adds to the broader pattern of vehicle hijackings and related crimes in KwaZulu-Natal, where such groups operate in rural and semi-urban areas. Police have emphasized their commitment to intelligence-led operations to combat these threats.
Attempted Courier Van Heist Foiled by Armed Resident in Sebokeng
SEBOKENG, South Africa – An attempted robbery of a courier van in Zone 14 turned violent when a local resident intervened with gunfire, injuring two suspects and preventing the crime.
The incident unfolded when two men targeted a vehicle belonging to Ram couriers. According to reports, the suspects approached the van with the intent to rob it, but their plan was disrupted by a community member who opened fire on them.
Both suspects sustained injuries during the confrontation. One of the wounded individuals required urgent medical attention and was airlifted to a hospital by helicopter for treatment.
Local authorities have not yet released further details on the identities of the suspects or the community member involved, but the event highlights ongoing concerns about crime in the area. The shooting effectively halted the robbery attempt, with no reports of successful theft from the van.
This marks another instance of community intervention in criminal activities in Sebokeng, where residents sometimes take matters into their own hands amid rising security challenges. Investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the event.
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