“A new low:” Trump’s racist Obama video finally compels some Ohio Republicans to draw a line

In a rare break from unwavering loyalty, some – but only some, as Today in Ohio noted Monday — Ohio Republicans have finally drawn a line on Donald Trump’s racist behavior, condemning a deeply offensive video that appeared on his Truth Social account depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes.

The video, which remained posted for approximately 12 hours on Friday, is a new new low for a president who repeatedly plumbed the depths of sick behavior, podcast hosts said. While Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric has often gone unchallenged by his party, this time, the explicit racism proved too much for some Ohio representatives to ignore.

“I have to say I am so glad that they did because I kind of thought there was no line that Trump could cross that would elicit a response from some of these ego-stroking Republicans. But it got bad enough,” said Laura Johnston.

Among those condemning the post was Rep. Max Miller, a former Trump White House staffer who issued a clear rebuke: “As the former director of Advance for Trump 45, I can tell you that this video should not have been posted. If someone from my team did this while I was at the White House, I can tell you honestly, they would not have a job come Monday morning.”

Rep. Mike Turner also stepped up to call the post “unacceptable,” a significant statement from an Ohio Republican.

However, the silence from many other prominent Ohio Republicans spoke volumes. Chris Quinn pointed out the glaring absences in the chorus of condemnation: “You have Jim Jordan, nothing, Bernie Moreno, nothing. John Husted finally came out and said it’s outrageous, but only after it was taken down. They’re all a bunch of miserable cowards who will not do what’s right. This should have been unanimous. Wrong, wrong, wrong.”

The White House initially defended the post much of Friday before understanding the depth of the outrage ir caused. Then, Trump denied culpability, claiming an unnamed staffer published it.

Johnston suggested the incident represents the culmination of a long-standing pattern rather than an isolated error: “So this is kind of the quiet part out loud. It’s taking that dog whistle that’s existed for a decade now and just blaring it. I don’t think it’s a surprise to anyone that this is how Trump feels.”

The episode comes amid growing signs of public fatigue with Trump’s rhetoric. Quinn noted: “I’m telling you, I can feel the momentum. The reaction to my column (about Trump’s authoritarian moves) was overwhelming. I mean, it just kept coming and coming>

This incident may mark a significant inflection point in Republican willingness to tolerate Trump’s most offensive behaviors, particularly as the country faces broader questions about race, immigration policy, and America’s standing on the world stage.

Listen to the discussion here.