In the West Virginia town of Clay, Mayor Beverly Whaling resigned yesterday after her response to a Facebook post referring to Michelle Obama as an "Ape in heels".

Pamela Ramsey Taylor, director of the nonprofit Clay County Development Corp., recently posted this on Facebook:

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.

Wahling responded as follows:

Just made my day Pam.

Sources say that Taylor was either placed on leave or removed from her position at Clay County Development Corp.

Whaling issued an apology to The Washington Post:

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!

Local news station WSAZ reported that Taylor had also issued an apology saying she was referring to her own opinion about the first lady's attractiveness, and not about the color of her skin.

Source:

Browning, Lexi; Bever, Lindsey. (November 16, 2016). "'Ape in heels: W.Va. mayor resigns amid controversy over racist comments about Michelle Obama". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2016-11-16.

West Virginia mayor resigns after racist Michelle Obama Facebook post | CNN

UPDATE: Clay mayor resigns after response to controversial Facebook post | WSAZ News Channel 3