David Jolly, a Democratic candidate, called the post “vile,” while Republican Byron Donalds’ campaign implied that the front-runner wasn’t happy with it.
President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting of the Detroit Economic Club at Motor City Casino in Detroit on Jan. 13. [ DAVID GURALNICK | TNS ]
Former President Donald Trump remains a central figure in Florida’s 2026 gubernatorial race after a controversial video shared on his Truth Social account sparked widespread criticism. The post, which depicted former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes, was deleted Friday following significant backlash. The White House attributed the post to a staffer, stating the employee had made an error.
The controversy has placed renewed attention on Trump-endorsed candidate U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, who is running for Florida governor and is Black. A senior aide to Donalds’ campaign told the Tampa Bay Times that the team contacted the White House and was informed a staffer was responsible for the post. The aide added that the situation had “let POTUS down.”
One of Donalds’ Republican primary opponents, James Fishback, criticized that response, arguing the focus on the video distracts from issues affecting Florida voters. Fishback dismissed the controversy as a “sideshow,” claiming the full clip also included imagery of former President Joe Biden.
Fishback, who has previously used racially charged language in the campaign and declined to disavow white nationalist Nick Fuentes, has openly addressed race in his challenge to Donalds. He argues that voters are more concerned about economic matters such as affordability than online controversies.
Meanwhile, Democratic candidate David Jolly condemned the video, calling it “vile” and raising broader concerns about the tone of political discourse. Jolly emphasized that the issue goes beyond policy debates, framing it as a reflection of national values and leadership standards.
As the Florida governor’s race intensifies, the incident highlights ongoing debates over race, campaign rhetoric, and political accountability ahead of the 2026 election.
