Donald Trump Jr. has drawn backlash from critics after a social media post about former first lady Michelle Obama.
On Instagram, the former president's son posted a picture of former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Levon Kirkland with the words "found this rare Michelle Obama rookie card." The post also included the caption, "Just a little Super Bowl nostalgia. LOL."
One user responding to the Instagram post said it was an example of "racism," while on the social media app X, formerly Twitter, independent journalist Aaron Rupar said it showed "insane levels of racist misogyny on Don Jr.'s Instagram page."
In comments under Trump Jr.'s February 11 post, one person added it was "So low," while another user said it was "Disgusting mean behavior."
Newsweek reached out to a spokesperson for Trump Jr. via email and Michelle Obama through the Obama Foundation via email for comment out of hours.
"Deer [sic] fact checkers I'm told that this is a joke," Trump Jr. also said in the caption. "So please treat it accordingly though I personally am not 100% sure."
In response to the post, a number of social media users referenced an unfounded conspiracy theory that alleges that the former first lady is actually a man or transgender woman. It is not clear when the theory began circulating online, but does appear in posts during the Obama presidency from 2009 to 2017.
The late comedian Joan Rivers referenced the conspiracy during an impromptu street interview that circulated on social media in 2014.
Rivers was asked if the U.S. would ever have a gay or transgender president, to which Rivers replied: "We already have that with Obama. You know Michelle is a trans."
The reporter then asked Rivers to explain her comment and she said: "A transgender. We all know."
The theory about Michelle Obama, according to a February 2022 tweet by conspiracy theorist debunker Mike Rothschild, is part of the "mythology around QAnon."
QAnon is an online movement originating on 4chan that promotes fabricated claims about politicians, celebrities, and other well-known individuals. A major part of the QAnon message is that Donald Trump is waging a secret and ongoing fight against high-profile pedophiles who worship the devil. The conspiracies have led to Q-supporting accounts adopting anti-trans stances.
Rothschild added in his 2022 post: "The whole "Michelle Obama is actually a guy" trope is huge in Q circles. It's all just sick."
C. Riley Snorton, professor of English Language and Literature, Race, Diaspora and Indigeneity at the University of Chicago, told Newsweek that Trump Jr.'s post indicated a "disturbing linking of anti-Black and anti-trans rhetoric."
Newsweek approached a spokesperson for Trump Jr. for additional comment.
Snorton added: "To insinuate that Michelle Obama is a transwoman is another example of how Black people's genders are scrutinized and policed on anti-trans terms where trans people are rendered as punchlines."
Update 2/13/24, 12:42 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional background information.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Benjamin Lynch is a Newsweek reporter based in London, U.K. His focus is U.S. politics and national affairs and he ... Read more
To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, Click here.
