Donald Trump faced major backlash after sharing a now-deleted video on Truth Social that depicted Barack Obama and Michelle Obama as apes. Though the clip was removed, Trump refused to apologize, saying he did not believe he made a mistake.
In an interview with YouTuber Brian Tyler Cohen, Obama called the video “deeply troubling,” arguing it reflects a broader decline in political decorum. He said most Americans still believe in “decency, courtesy, kindness,” but that social media has become a “clown show” lacking shame or respect for the presidency.
The video drew bipartisan criticism. Republican Senator Tim Scott called it “the most racist thing” he had seen from the White House. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed the outrage as “fake.”
Obama also criticized immigration enforcement actions under Trump, calling certain ICE operations “deeply concerning” and a threat to American values. He described recent events as “a wake-up call,” urging voters to respond at the ballot box and defend core principles of decency and truth.