Hour 1: A Racist White House? | Melissa Henson on Media, Culture & Connection
Podcasts > Shake It Off with Mert & Lucas
Tune in each week, as an established lawyer, and a self- proclaimed “man of the people,” debate some of the hottest issues impacting our city, state and nation.
Monday, February 16, 2026
Episode 84 confronts the political and historical weight of the President’s decision to share an AI‑generated video depicting the Obamas as apes — a centuries‑old racist trope — tracing its roots through scientific racism, eugenics, Jim Crow, and the long legacy of dehumanization that still shapes public reaction today. The hosts argue that the White House’s shifting explanations have only deepened the fallout, underscoring why this imagery is so dangerous and why the President should acknowledge the error so the country can move forward. The hour concludes with an interview featuring Melissa Henson, Senior Advisor for Culture and Media at Concerned Women for America, a leading voice on how entertainment, messaging, and digital platforms shape public values and national conversations. Melissa delivers a grounded, incisive look at what’s shifting in today’s media landscape — what’s at stake, and why it matters.
