Former President Donald Trump delivered a rare public apology on Wednesday, but it was not for the racist video he shared last week depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes. Instead, Trump directed his mea culpa toward the people of Oklahoma for his previous endorsement of their governor, Kevin Stitt, a Republican.
Racist Video Controversy Ignored
Last week, Trump posted a video on social media that was widely condemned as racist by both Democrats and Republicans. The video portrayed the Obamas in a derogatory manner, sparking outrage across the political spectrum. Trump later deleted the video but refused to apologize, insisting he had not seen the offensive content. "No, I didn't make a mistake," Trump stated. "I looked at the beginning of it. It was fine." This stance drew criticism, as Trump has a history of rarely apologizing for his actions.
Apology Focused on Oklahoma Governor
In a post on Truth Social, Trump expressed regret to Oklahoma residents for endorsing Governor Kevin Stitt, whom he labeled as "very mediocre (at best!)" and a "RINO" (Republican in name only). "Sorry, my cherished Oklahoma, to have done that to you!" Trump wrote. This apology came amid a dispute over the National Governors Association (NGA), where Stitt serves as chair and has worked to maintain its bipartisan nature.
Conflict Over National Governors Association
Trump reportedly planned to exclude Democratic governors from a traditional bipartisan NGA business meeting at the White House and to omit two governors from a dinner typically open to all, regardless of party affiliation. In response, Stitt initially canceled the event, citing the NGA's mission to represent all 55 governors. "Because NGA's mission is to represent all 55 governors, the Association is no longer serving as the facilitator for that event, and it is no longer included in our official program," Stitt informed fellow governors, according to The Associated Press.
Invitation Confusion and Resolution
Trump later claimed he intended to invite all but two Democratic governors to the meeting. However, The New York Times reported that as of Tuesday night, only Republican governors had received invitations for the Friday meeting. In subsequent posts, Trump attacked Stitt and several Democratic governors. According to The Journal Record in Oklahoma City, Stitt has since announced that the meeting is back on, with all governors invited, blaming a "misunderstanding in scheduling."
This incident highlights Trump's selective approach to apologies, focusing on political disagreements rather than addressing more serious controversies like the racist video. The ongoing tensions within the Republican Party and between state and federal leaders continue to shape the political landscape.
