Obama addresses racist Trump ape video and decorum in politics

Published: 05 December 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

In a moment that has reignited fierce debate over race, political discourse and presidential conduct in the United States, former President Barack Obama openly addressed a controversial video shared on social media by President Donald Trump that depicted Mr. Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes — imagery historically used to dehumanise Black people. Obama’s remarks, made during a wide-reaching interview with podcaster Brian Tyler Cohen, mark his first substantial public comment on an episode that has drawn bipartisan condemnation and spotlighted concerns about the erosion of decorum in American political dialogue.

The episode began earlier this month when President Trump shared a video on his platform Truth Social that combined unfounded claims about the 2020 election with a brief clip showing the Obamas’ faces superimposed onto the bodies of apes, accompanied by the song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” Critics, including Republican Senator Tim Scott, called the imagery “the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House,” and pointed out that depictions of Black people as primates have a long, painful history of racist dehumanisation.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt initially brushed off the backlash, dismissing criticism as “fake outrage” and claiming the imagery was drawn from an “internet meme video.” Later, the White House said a staffer had “erroneously” posted the clip, and the president’s social media team removed the video after it circulated for around 12 hours. In interviews following the deletion, Trump insisted he had not seen the offending portion of the video before it was posted and maintained there was no mistake on his part.

When asked about the incident, Obama chose to focus less on the specifics of the social media post and more on its broader implications for civil discourse in the United States. Speaking on the Cohen podcast, he lamented what he described as the loss of “shame” and restraint that previously characterised public life and political leadership. “It’s important to recognise that the majority of the American people find this behaviour deeply troubling,” Obama said, noting that attention-grabbing stunts and viral videos should not define national values.

Obama did not mention Trump by name during his remarks, instead referring to a broader “clown show” unfolding on social media and television as political rhetoric becomes increasingly uncivil. He emphasised that many Americans still hold dear principles of decency, courtesy, and respect — even as public discourse grows more heated. The former president also pointed to widespread protests and civic engagement around other issues, suggesting that many Americans are channeling their frustrations into democratic participation.

The controversy has sparked rare criticism of Trump from within his own party. Republican figures including Senator Tim Scott urged Trump to remove the post and apologise, with some senators calling the imagery profoundly offensive. Even as Trump’s immediate allies defended him or downplayed the uproar, the episode has underscored divisions within the Republican ranks over how far political messaging should be taken.

Civil rights advocates and cultural commentators were quick to highlight the historical context of the imagery used — a reflection of century-old racist tropes designed to dehumanise Black Americans. Many argued that a sitting president sharing such content, even inadvertently, normalises harmful stereotypes and further polarises an already brittle social landscape. Others expressed fear that the erosion of public standards could have long-lasting effects on national unity and mutual respect.

For Obama, who made history as the first Black president of the United States, the racist overtones of the video carried deep symbolic weight. His response — while measured — underscored a clear rejection not only of the imagery but of a political climate that allows such depictions to circulate with limited accountability. Despite his focus on broader cultural trends, his comments resonated with those who view the episode as symptomatic of a fracturing national conversation.

The fallout from the video also reignited conversations about the role of artificial intelligence and digital platforms in shaping political narratives. As AI-generated content becomes easier to produce and distribute, concerns about misinformation and demeaning representations have grown, prompting calls for more responsible use of such technologies by public figures and leaders.

In the days following Obama’s remarks, the story continued to draw attention from media outlets, civil rights organisations and international observers. The debate over standards of political conduct — and the limits of satire and expression — is likely to persist, particularly as the United States grapples with ongoing political division and prepares for future elections.

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