White House Staffer Allegedly Behind Pro-Trump Account That Called Racist Video Depicting the Obamas as Apes a 'Masterpiece'

US President Donald Trump raised eyebrows earlier this month after sharing a video that many deemed racist. The clip depicts former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama as dancing apes. The controversy did not stop there, as one pro-Trump account on X described the incendiary post as a 'masterpiece'.

According to a new report, a trail of digital evidence suggests a White House employee may be behind that X account. The revelation has ignited a fresh debate about how far public servants can go in their private online lives without crossing ethical lines.

White House Staffer Linked to Controversial X Profile

Aaron Parnas, a prominent TikTok creator and legal analyst, recently uploaded a video unpacking what he called explosive details about the pro-Trump X account 'Johnny MAGA'. The account made an infamous comment on the racist post featuring the Obamas as apes by calling it a 'masterpiece'.

However, it was not just a regular account. It appeared that the person behind the profile worked for the White House. Parnas cited a Wired report claiming that the person running the account is actually Garret Wade, who serves as the rapid response manager for the Trump administration.

'That MAGA Twitter account, Johnny MAGA, called the racist video of Barack and Michelle Obama depicting them as apes a "masterpiece",' he said. 'Now, here's the kicker. Never once has Johnny MAGA ever disclosed its connection to the White House.'

If the allegations are proven, it would represent a significant breach of the expected standards for executive branch employees. The White House continues to face pressure to provide a more transparent explanation regarding Wade's alleged extracurricular activities.

Wired reached out to Garret and the White House for comment, but did not receive an immediate response.

Inside 'Johnny MAGA': A Right-Wing Viral Machine

The Johnny MAGA profile was first established in 2021 and has since grown into a powerhouse within the conservative digital landscape. It currently boasts a following of nearly 300,000 users and is known for its prolific posting schedule. The account primarily shares highly edited images and videos that praise Donald Trump while frequently mocking his political opponents with aggressive rhetoric.

The account gained notoriety for its sharp commentary and its ability to go viral within right-wing circles. Its content typically consists of pro-Trump memes and the tone is often combative, crafted to energise a specific base of online supporters through provocative imagery.

When the racist post against the Obamas was uploaded on Trump's Truth Social, the White House immediately defended the POTUS, saying, 'A White House staffer erroneously made the post.' While some questioned the response, Johnny Maga seemingly supported it, as evidenced by his post on X (formerly Twitter).

'The most obvious tell that Trump's Truth Social post wasn't intentional is that he would've posted the entire thing if he had seen it,' @Johnny Maga wrote. 'It's a masterpiece,' he added with a loud crying face emoji.

Revisiting The Racist Post And Its Fallout

Donald Trump shared a video depicting the Obamas as apes on Truth Social earlier this month. The US President clarified that he did not watch the entire clip but loved its message about election fraud, so he approved its sharing.

According to Trump, he passed the video to a staffer assigned to watch the entire footage. Trump refused to apologise for stirring an online commotion due to the racist post, saying 'I didn't make a mistake,' because it was the staffer who shared it.

However, some questioned Trump and the White House's alibi. Parnas was convinced they lied because the post was shared after 11 p.m., when staffers were no longer on duty.

'You're telling me that a White House staffer is up right before midnight, posting on the president's Truth Social account?' Parnas asked. 'No, that's typically the president himself.'

Meanwhile, the Obamas seemingly responded through the Obama Foundation, which shared a montage of the couple talking about their love story days after the controversy.