Obama calls Trump-shared racist video 'deeply troubling' in interview

Former President Barack Obama offered measured but pointed response Saturday to a racially charged video shared by President Donald Trump that depicted him and former first lady Michelle Obama as apes, characterizing the incident as symptomatic of broader decline in public discourse. During an interview with Brian Tyler Cohen, Obama addressed the AI-generated post that placed the Obamas' faces on ape bodies set to "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" music.

When asked how the nation could recover from such episodes, Obama acknowledged the troubling nature of the behavior while expressing optimism about the American people. "First of all, I think it's important to recognize that the majority of the American people find this behavior deeply troubling," Obama said. He contrasted the attention-grabbing spectacle with his encounters with everyday Americans who "still believe in decency, courtesy, kindness."

Erosion of Standards

The former president described a "clown show" playing out across social media and television platforms, noting a fundamental shift in political norms. "What is true is there doesn't seem to be any shame about this among people who used to feel like you had to have some sense of decorum and a sense of propriety and respect for the office. So, that's been lost," Obama observed.

The video, which perpetuated racist tropes historically used against Black Americans, was posted during Black History Month, a period dedicated to honoring African American achievements and contributions. The timing amplified criticism from observers who noted the irony of such imagery during a month celebrating Black heritage.

White House Response and Removal

The White House initially defended the post, with spokesperson Karoline Leavitt dismissing criticism as "fake outrage." However, hours later the video disappeared from Trump's Truth Social account. Anonymous officials reportedly attributed the posting to a staff error, claiming a subordinate shared it without the president's awareness of its racist content.

Trump later condemned the video when pressed by reporters aboard Air Force One, answering "Of course I do" when asked if he disapproved of the racist elements. Yet he steadfastly refused to apologize to the Obamas, maintaining he bore no personal responsibility. "I didn't make a mistake," Trump insisted, blaming the incident on staff who failed to properly vet content before posting on his behalf.

The episode drew condemnation across party lines, with even Republican figures distancing themselves from the imagery while the controversy reignited discussions about racial discourse in American politics and the standards expected of national leaders.