In February 2026, a political firestorm erupted after a video was posted to Truth Social via Donald Trump’s official account. The clip, largely focused on disputed 2020 election claims, briefly showed Barack Obama and Michelle Obama with their faces superimposed onto animated ape bodies — imagery widely condemned as invoking a racist trope.
The video remained online for about 12 hours before being removed amid bipartisan backlash. Republican Senator Tim Scott and California Governor Gavin Newsom publicly criticized the post. The White House initially dismissed concerns but later said the clip was uploaded in error.
Days later, Obama addressed the incident in an interview, calling the imagery “deeply troubling” and warning of declining civility in political discourse. The controversy reignited debate over race, social media, and the standards expected of public officials.
