Former President Barack Obama has sharply criticised the state of American political discourse after a controversial video featuring him and former First Lady Michelle Obama surfaced on former President Donald Trump’s social media platform.
The clip, which depicted the Obamas as apes set to the song The Lion Sleeps Tonight, ignited widespread condemnation across the political spectrum.
The video appeared at the conclusion of a post on Trump’s Truth Social account that contained unfounded claims of voter fraud during the 2020 presidential election.
While some initially defended the post, dismissing criticism as “fake outrage,” it was eventually deleted and attributed to a staff member’s oversight.
Speaking on a 47-minute podcast with liberal commentator Brian Tyler Cohen, released on Saturday, Obama addressed the broader implications of the post for the tone of national politics.
Cohen referenced the video while asking about the state of political discourse, noting that “just days ago, Donald Trump put a picture of you, your face, on an ape’s body.”
Without directly naming Trump, Obama responded: “It’s important to recognise that the majority of the American people find this behaviour deeply troubling.
It is true that it gets attention. It’s true that it’s a distraction.” He added that the level of cruelty in political debate “has devolved to a level that we haven’t seen before.”
Reflecting on his interactions with citizens during his travels across the country, Obama emphasized that many Americans “still believe in decency, courtesy, kindness.”
Yet he lamented the rise of what he described as a “clown show” on social media and television, noting a widespread erosion of “decorum, propriety, and respect for the office.”
The offensive video also drew rebuke from within Trump’s own party. Senator Tim Scott, the only Black Republican senator, called it “the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House.”
Critics highlighted that the imagery echoed longstanding racist caricatures comparing Black people to monkeys. The clip appeared to originate from an X post by conservative meme creator Xerias in October.
When questioned by reporters, Trump claimed he “didn’t see” the portion of the video showing the Obamas. Asked whether he would apologise, he replied, “I didn’t make a mistake.”
Beyond the controversy, Obama used the podcast to discuss issues including immigration enforcement, electoral redistricting, and updates on his presidential library, which is scheduled to open in Chicago next year.
The episode has reignited discussions about civility and racial sensitivity in American political life, underscoring deep partisan divides in the country’s public discourse.
