Trump-supporting official placed on leave after ‘racist’ Facebook post that branded Michelle Obama an ‘ape in heels’ compared to ‘classy’ Melania Trump
Clay County Development Corp director Pamela Ramsey Taylor and Clay Mayor Beverly Whaling face calls for sack after 'vile' messages
AN official from West Virginia has been placed on leave after facing calls to be sacked over a “racist” social media post about Michelle Obama.
Clay County Development Corp director Pamela Ramsey Taylor revealed the organisation had put her on leave after writing the controversial Facebook message following Donald Trump's shock election victory last week.
The post caused outrage by comparing “classy” first lady in waiting Melania Trump to US President Barack Obama’s “ape” wife.
Taylor said: "It will be refreshing to have a classy, beautiful, dignified First Lady in the White House. I'm tired of seeing a Ape in heels (sic)."
Clay Mayor Beverly Whaling responded: "Just made my day Pam."
The posts, first reported by , were shared hundreds of times on social media before they were deleted – vanishing along with Taylor and Whaling’s Facebook accounts.
A call to the Clay County Development Corp went unanswered and Whaling didn't immediately return a telephone message.
The two women have since apologised for their remarks, but denied that they were being racist.
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Whaling told the : “My comment was not intended to be racist at all.
“I was referring to my day being made for change in the White House!
“I am truly sorry for any hard feeling this may have caused!
“Those who know me know that I'm not of any way racist!
“Again, I would like to apologize for this getting out of hand!”
Taylor is also reported to have said sorry on her Facebook account, which has now been set to private.
Nevertheless, an online petition has since been set up calling for both women to be sacked from their roles.
Owens Brown, director of the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People's West Virginia chapter, is among those calling for the removal of both women.
He said: “I feel so it's unfortunate that people still have these racist undertones.
“Unfortunately, this is a reality that we are dealing with in America today.
“There's no place for these types of attitudes in our state.”
Many social media users have also slammed the pair, branding their comments “vile”, “disgusting” and “racist”.
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