Kentucky GOP chair Robert J Benvenuti III on Saturday issued a statement saying “The Republican Party of Kentucky condemns hate in all its forms. The post is vile and reprehensible, and is directly adverse to all that we stand for as a party and a nation. We are actively investigating the matter and will take the harshest action available to us against those involved. We remain committed to the values of Lincoln and advancing liberty and prosperity for every American,” after the chair of the Hardin County Republican Party posted what the Lexington Courier Journal reports was a video depicting former President Barack and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes.

Which is pretty standard for how Republicans, particularly the ones in impoverished rural podunks, regard African Americans. Thus making the condemnation more of a self-affirmation exercise for MAGA voters who like to believe that, deep down inside, they aren’t really racist so much as maybe merely edgy or just not so politically correct like those bitchy, overly sensitive libtards.

Hardin County GOP chair Bobbie Coleman seconded that in her “apology” Facebook post. “Earlier today, I shared a video that was intended to celebrate President Trump’s successful policy achievements by depicting him as a Lion King, triumphing over liberal Democrats. I thought this video was a silly way to celebrate the policy victories of the past nine months – including tax cuts, peace in the Middle East, a strong border, and lower gas prices. I apologize for sharing the video and for amplifying offensive imagery of former President Obama. As someone who does not engage with racist tropes, I did not consider the underlying meaning that this video may have had. I am not racist and any suggestion to the contrary does not reflect my values or character,” Coleman wrote.

The “I am not racist” was for her, not for anyone who would’ve been offended by the content.