Alitalia Airline Apologizes For Promo Video Featuring Barack Obama Impersonator

Alitalia Airline is under fire for featuring an actor — dressed as Barack Obama — in blackface as part of a promotional video. 

Recently, the Italian carrier ran a series of advertisements bringing attention to their new, nonstop route from Rome to Washington, D.C.

The video series featured American presidents — including Donald Trump, George Washington, and Abraham Lincoln — along with the hashtag, #WhereIsWashington.

Unfortunately, one clip starred an actor — who appeared to be wearing black makeup — portraying the 44th president.

After the footage went viral, it received immediate backlash from social media users.

They wrote:

“Whoa. @Alitalia advertises its new flight to Washington with an actor in blackface playing Obama. The video also features people saying he was born in Africa. Words fail me.”

“We have tons of American Airlines that fly to Italy. You can take the train from there. You do not have to give your money to Alitalia until they get this [off] their site”

“Well, Alitalia clearly isn’t marketing their services to a particular race…and I’m guessing this publicity becomes a net gain – because they’re indirectly welcoming travelers who privately agree with them.”

“An old airline like Alitalia is making such stupid and foolish gestures, I think they should’ve known better, but I’m not surprised, after all Italy has once again shifted to the far right so things like that is their identity”

“Usually I try to avoid @Alitalia because they’re just a s**tty airline. Add racism and I rather swim. Ciao.”

“Totally unsurprising unfortunately”

“It’s true that we have a big racism problem in Italy, but tbh most Italians are completely oblivious about blackface and its implications in American society. Still, one may expect Alitalia to have a better communication team”

Per the New York Times, a spokesperson for the transportation company initially defended the video, reportedly saying the thespian was not Caucasian and that “makeup was applied to highlight features.”

However, the airline ultimately pulled the clip from its social media channels, and issued the following apology on Twitter:

“Alitalia deeply apologizes for the offense caused by the promotional video on our Washington route. It has since been removed. For our Company, respect for everyone is mandatory, it was never our intention to hurt anyone and we will learn from what has happened.”