Obama Labels Trump’s Racist AI Video Post “Deeply Troubling,” Warns of Eroding Political Decorum

Reported by Afilawos Magana Sur, Investigative Journalist at Sele Media Africa.

Former United States President Barack Obama has publicly condemned the circulation of a controversial social media post from President Donald Trump’s account that featured racist imagery of Mr. Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama. In remarks released this weekend, Obama described the conduct as “deeply troubling” and symptomatic of a broader decline in political decorum and civility in American public life. South China Morning Post +1The controversy stems from a video originally posted on Truth Social, Trump’s social media platform, on February 5, 2026. The clip—primarily focused on unfounded claims about the 2020 presidential election—culminated in a brief sequence showing animated depictions of the Obamas as apes, accompanied by a segment of the song The Lion Sleeps Tonight. Critics widely condemned the imagery as invoking racist tropes with a long history of dehumanising Black people. The post was removed after several hours amid bipartisan outcry. ABC7 Chicago in an interview with political commentator Brian Tyler Cohen, published Saturday, Obama did not focus narrowly on the offensive content itself but spoke to its implications for American political culture. “The majority of the American people find this behaviour deeply troubling,” he said, stressing that while such content may attract attention, it distracts from substantive national issues and reflects a troubling shift in political discourse. Obama lamented what he described as a loss of “decorum” and respect for public office among some political actors and social media influencers. The Business Standard the former president’s remarks resonate against a backdrop of widespread criticism of the video from across the political spectrum. Several Republican lawmakers, including Senator Tim Scott, denounced the material as racist and unacceptable, urging its removal and an apology from the White House. Meanwhile, the Trump administration initially defended the posting, attributing it to a staff error and later distancing itself from its content. President Trump reportedly declined to apologise, asserting he had not fully viewed the material before it was posted. Forbes +1Observers say the episode underscores deepening fissures within American political life, where social media has amplified incendiary content and magnified partisan divides. Critics from both parties have warned that repeated lapses in judgement and public decorum risk eroding institutional trust and could influence voter sentiment ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. South China Morning PostAs debate continues over the role of digital platforms in public discourse and political accountability, Obama’s comments highlight a growing concern that political leadership must reaffirm standards of civility and mutual respect. The Hollywood Reporter Sources:U.S. NEWS COVERAGE: “Barack Obama blasts ‘clown show’ after Trump’s racist monkey video,” South China Morning Post (turn0news5)“Obama responds to Trump racist video post, says most Americans find it ‘deeply troubling’,” Good Morning America (turn0news7)“Obama deplores lack of shame after Trump racist monkey clip,” Channel News Asia (turn0search23)GOP and political responses, Forbes (turn0search17)Trump’s handling of the post, The Guardian (turn0search20).

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Afilawos Magana Sur

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Afilawos Magana Sur is a journalist from Bogoro Local Government Area of Bauchi State, currently based in Bauchi metropolis. He is known for his commitment to accurate, ethical, and responsible journalism, with a focus on reporting issues of public relevance and community development.

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