The post came as a response to Donald Trump’s victory.
The director of a West Virginia non-profit group and the mayor are facing backlash after reportedly posting racist comments about first lady Michelle Obama.
The post came from Clay County Development Corporation director Pamela Taylor in response to Donald Trump’s victory in the presidential election.
“It will be so refreshing to have a classy, beautiful, dignified First Lady back in the White House. I’m tired of seeing a Ape in heels,” Taylor’s post reportedly said.
“Just made my day Pam,” Clay Mayor Beverly Whaling responded to the post.
Ms. Taylor’s post, first reported by WSAZ-TV, was shared hundreds of times on Facebook before it was deleted. Both women issued apologies later and neither of their pages could be found on the social networking site on Monday.
“I would like to apologize for any unintentional harm caused by my comment,” a local ABC News affiliate quoted Ms. Whaling. “My comment was not intended to be racist at all. I was referring to my day being made for the change in the White House! I am truly sorry for any hard feeling this may have caused! Those who know me, know that I am not in any way racist! Again, I would like to apologize for this getting out of hand!”
The Clay Development Corporation confirmed to New York Daily News that Taylor lost her job following the statement.
According to the U.S Census, African Americans make up about 4% of West Virginia’s 1.8 million residents.
Every county of West Virginia went for Donald Trump in last week’s election, with more than 77% of Clay County supporting him. In 2012, President Obama received 31% of the county votes when Republican Mitt Romney easily carried the state.