High School Teacher Resigns After Allegedly Calling the Obamas "Monkeys" on Facebook

After Trent Bennett allegedly posted the racist comments on Facebook, he resigned and issued a public apology.

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Complex Original

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A teacher in Little Rock, Arkansas has resigned after he was found calling President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama “monkeys” on Facebook. Trent Bennett, who taught science at Malvern High School, allegedly left the racist comments on the Facebook page of a local TV station.

In his posts, Bennett is said to have referred to the First Lady as “Michelle Obummer... America's First Chimp.” He also said he was "glad to see that nasty chimp and her spider monkey hubby gone for good."

Students at the school and parents called on the school to take swift action against the remarks, and threatened to boycott games if Bennett wasn’t fired, according to local news station KATV.

Bennett submitted his resignation Thursday, and it was accepted that night by officials at the Malvern School Board. He has since deleted his public Facebook account.

He also penned an apology about the incident, which he sent to KATV.

"I would like to issue an apology for the outrage and hurt feelings caused by these comments. I acknowledge that they were disrespectful and offensive,” Bennett said in the letter. “I am aware of the impact this has had, and though I negate that I have ever conducted myself in a less than professional manner in regard to my students, I have resigned my teaching position at Malvern High School."

Malvern High School posted a statement on Facebook. They called Bennett’s alleged remarks “inappropriate, insensitive” and acknowledged their “racially charged rhetoric.” School officials also said an investigation is currently underway.

“In no way are these posts reflective of the District,” they said. “The District takes this kind of activity very seriously and the appropriate measures will be taken once the investigation is complete.”

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