Jaleesa M. Jones

USA TODAY

On the heels of Omarosa Manigault's hiring as the director of African-American outreach for Donald Trump's campaign, Spike Lee is speaking out about the ex-Apprentice star and former Al Gore staffer's new role.

On Tuesday, the Do the Right Thing director shared a sideways photograph of Manigault wearing a clown nose, opening the pointed Instagram post with a salutation to "Ms. Theresa." (To clarify, Manigault's mother's name is Theresa.)

"Ms. Theresa 'Omarosa' Manigault pic is like this (because) I’m looking at her sideways," Lee captioned the photo. "Trump has named her his 'director of African-American Outreach.' You might know her from Trump’s reality TV show, The Apprentice. Who’s next? Step N’ Fetchit? Aunt Jemina? Uncle Ben? Sleep N’ Eat? Rastus? Lil’ (N-word) Jim? Omarosa gonna give out free Popeye’s Chicken with sides to deliver (the) black vote to Trump? YA-DIG? SHO-NUFF. #blacklivesmatter."

Manigault responded to Lee's remarks in a now-deleted tweet, writing, "@officialSpikeLee attacks me&my mom Theresa, Why? For my work with @realDonaldTrump using the N word? #RaceBaiting."

USA TODAY has reached out to Lee's representatives for comment. Manigault said her "tweets speak for themselves."

Manigault previously confirmed her appointment on Monday. "I am proud to serve in that role," she shared on MSNBC, later adding, "It is a very difficult time for our country, but the good thing I know is that I know Donald Trump as a friend. I know his heart … and I know what he can do in this role."

When asked about Trump's difficulty resonating with black voters in the swing states of Ohio and Pennsylvania — recent polls showed Trump was polling at zero percent approval among that demographic — Manigault offered an anecdotal counterargument.

"I'm wondering who they polled because I just spent an amazing weekend with African-Americans for Trump, about 300 of them," Manigault said.

"So, I look at the data but my reality is that I’m surrounded by people who want to see Donald Trump as the next president of the United States who are African-American," she continued. "More importantly, our community — you know, I grew up Youngstown, Ohio, just 40 minutes down the road — economically we're suffering. We're hurting. I went to my family reunion this weekend, and I know family members who are still unemployed, who are still looking for jobs. Looking for ways to fill their gas tank and fill prescriptions for their family. Donald Trump is focused on improving the conditions of African-Americans in this country."

Omarosa Manigault named head of black outreach for Trump campaign