NY Republican Lawmaker Insists Trump Must Apologize for Racist Obama Meme

Rep. Mike Lawler of New York faced tough questions during an interview on Sunday, highlighting the challenges for lawmakers in competitive districts. The discussion centered on Donald Trump’s controversial social media post and its implications for the Republican Party.

On ABC’s This Week, Lawler addressed the backlash from a video shared on Trump’s Truth Social account, which portrayed Michelle and Barack Obama as apes—a clear reference to harmful racial stereotypes. The video, originating from a pro-Trump meme account, drew immediate condemnation.

Although the video was later deleted and a staffer was blamed, Trump has not issued an apology. When asked about it on Air Force One, he stated, “No, I didn’t make a mistake.”

Lawler, reflecting on the incident, asserted that sometimes an apology is necessary. He noted the historical context of racism in America and the pain associated with such depictions. “Look, I think sometimes in our public discourse, it is best to just say, 'I'm sorry,’” he remarked. “I take the White House at their word that this was a mistake, but given the history of our nation, it’s important to recognize that and meet the moment.”

He expressed relief that the video was removed but criticized the original meme's creator, labeling them an “idiot” for perpetuating such content. The video faced widespread backlash, including from Tim Scott, the Senate’s only Black Republican, who described it as “the most racist thing” he had seen from the White House.

As Lawler campaigns for re-election in New York’s 17th congressional district—a region that narrowly favored Kamala Harris over Trump—he grapples with pressures from constituents to navigate complex issues. His stance on raising state and local tax deduction caps (SALT) contrasts sharply with many in his party.

During the interview, Lawler was also pressed about Trump’s alleged demand for New York and Virginia officials to rename landmarks after him in exchange for federal funding. While unconfirmed by administration officials, this follows Trump’s previous actions to name facilities in his honor.

Lawler struggled to address the suggestion without directly criticizing Trump, instead shifting blame to Democrats for a government shutdown that impacted funding for critical infrastructure projects. “Chuck Schumer decided last fall to shut the government down for 43 days,” he stated, attributing the funding freeze to that decision.

When confronted about Trump holding funds hostage for name changes, Lawler responded, “At the end of the day to me, I really could care less what the name of a building is. A critical infrastructure project is what matters.”

Another contentious issue for Lawler is immigration policy. He argued against the feasibility of deporting all 25 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S., advocating instead for a “legal path forward” for some individuals. This stance puts him at odds with hardline conservatives who label such proposals as “amnesty.”

Lawler clarified that his approach does not extend to full citizenship but aims to create a more realistic solution for undocumented Americans.