Former President Barack Obama has spoken out after President Donald Trump shared — and later deleted — a video depicting Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes. The clip, originally posted on Truth Social, drew bipartisan condemnation, with critics calling it racist and inflammatory. Trump did not apologize, saying a staff member had posted it and describing it as parody.
In a Feb. 14 interview with YouTuber Brian Tyler Cohen, Obama called the imagery “deeply troubling,” arguing it reflects a broader decline in political decorum. He said most Americans still value “decency, courtesy, and kindness,” contrasting that with what he described as a “clown show” atmosphere in parts of media and social platforms.
Republican Senator Tim Scott criticized the video, while White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed backlash as “fake outrage.” Obama added that voters will ultimately judge the tone and direction of today’s political climate at the ballot box.
