Former US President Barack Obama has lamented what he described as the degradation of political discourse, reducing it to a “clown show,” reacting for the first time to Donald Trump’s sharing of a racist video depicting him as a primate. The video, posted on Trump’s Truth Social account earlier this month and subsequently deleted, has ignited a firestorm of criticism.
Speaking on the podcast of left-leaning political commentator Brian Tyler Cohen, Obama addressed the video without explicitly naming Trump or the platform on which it appeared. He stated that a majority of Americans “find this behavior deeply troubling.” He continued, “It is true that it gets attention. It is true that it distracts.”
The video, which featured images of Obama and his wife Michelle Obama superimposed onto the bodies of apes, drew condemnation from both Democrats and some Republicans. It echoes a long and troubling history of racist tropes used to dehumanize Black people, a point underscored by numerous commentators. The imagery deliberately invokes a centuries-old pattern of racial abuse.
Trump, however, has downplayed the criticism, with the White House initially claiming a staff member was responsible for the posting. He later stated he had only viewed the “first part” of the video, which he claimed focused on allegations of voter fraud during the 2020 presidential election. “I didn’t see the whole thing,” Trump said, adding, “Nobody knew what was at the end.” The portion of the video containing the imagery of the Obamas was, according to Trump, unseen by him.
The incident underscores the particularly antagonistic relationship between Trump and Obama. Trump frequently refers to Obama as “Barack Hussein Obama,” utilizing his middle name, and has repeatedly promoted conspiracy theories questioning the former president’s birthplace and legitimacy. This pattern of behavior has been a hallmark of Trump’s political career and reflects a broader effort to delegitimize his predecessor.
Obama’s comments come as concerns grow about the increasing normalization of inflammatory rhetoric in American politics. He suggested a loss of basic standards of decency and respect for the office of the presidency. “There’s this sort of clown show that’s taking place on social media and on television, and what is true is that it doesn’t seem to cause any shame among people who, previously, would have thought you had to show a certain level of decorum, a sense of propriety, and respect for the office, you know?” Obama said.
The fallout from the video extends beyond the immediate political sphere. It has prompted renewed discussion about the role of social media platforms in amplifying harmful content and the responsibility of political leaders to refrain from using divisive and racially charged imagery. The incident also highlights the persistent challenges of addressing racism in the United States, even in the wake of historic progress.
While Trump has attempted to minimize the controversy, the video has resonated deeply with many Americans, particularly within the Black community, who view it as a blatant example of racism. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the racial tensions that continue to simmer beneath the surface of American society.
The video’s appearance on , and subsequent deletion, did little to quell the outrage. Reports indicate the clip originated from a video shared on X (formerly Twitter) in October by a conservative meme creator, Xerias, and also depicted other prominent Democrats as animals, including Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Even Trump himself was portrayed within the video, depicted as a lion.
The incident is likely to further polarize the American electorate as the country approaches another presidential election cycle. It raises questions about the boundaries of acceptable political discourse and the potential consequences of using inflammatory rhetoric to mobilize voters. The long-term impact of the video remains to be seen, but it has already served as a potent symbol of the deep divisions that continue to plague American society.
