The mayor of a small town in America and the director of a development group have sparked a racism row after allegedly branding Michelle Obama as “an ape in heels”.
Following Donald Trump’s shock election victory, Pamela Ramsey Taylor, head of Clay County Development Corp, based outside Charleston, is said to have written a Facebook post comparing Melania Trump with Mrs Obama.
According to WSAZ news, it read: “It will be so refreshing to have a classy, beautiful, dignified First Lady back in the White House. I’m tired of seeing an ape in heels.”
The post sparked further outrage when Clay’s town mayor, Beverly Whaling reportedly replied: “Just made my day Pam.”
The comments were later believed to have been deleted and both women have reportedly apologised for their comments.
However, images of the posts were shared on social media, prompting 88,000 people to sign a petition for the women to be forced to sign a disclaimer promising “equal opportunities and a racism free workplace”.
According to the Charleston Gazette, both Facebook profiles have since been removed.
