Michelle Obama called 'Ape in heels,' hell breaks loose

Michelle Obama

The mayor of Clay, West Virginia, resigned her position Tuesday after seemingly approving of a colleague's comment on Facebook that referred to Michelle Obama as an "Ape in heels."

The original post was made Monday by Pamela Ramsey Taylor, director of the Clay County Development Corp., who was opining on the transition from Mrs. Obama to Melania Trump as first lady.

"It will be so refreshing to have a classy, beautiful, dignified First Lady back in the White House," Taylor wrote. "I'm tired of seeing a Ape in heels."

According to WSAZ-TV, Mayor Beverly Whaling then replied, "Just made my day Pam."

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The story went viral, and both women removed their comments as well as their Facebook pages as claims of racism flooded the town. More than 150,000 people signed an Internet petition pushing for Whaling to be fired.

Whaling has since issued a statement to the media, saying:

"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!"

Beverly Whaling

The town's sheriff, Garrett Samples, told the Washington Post he didn't think the Facebook comment was intended to be prejudiced.

"It wasn't necessarily a joke, but it was stupid [to post]. I've never heard either of them say anything racial before. I know Miss Taylor better," Samples said.

Melania Trump at the Republican National Convention

Joshua Shamblin, a former Clay council member, told the Post, "The county is sorry that this has been placed upon everyone instead of just the few who made hurtful remarks."

Tina Goode, a town clerk, told the paper, "It wasn't right, what was posted. We're not like that. They are good women, and I don't think they meant anything by it. We're not a racist town."

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