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The video, which was later deleted, included a clip depicting Mr. Obama and first lady Michelle Obama as monkeys, prompting condemnation from both Democrats and Republicans.
Former US President Barack Obama. (File photo)
Former US President Barack Obama on Sunday criticized a racist AI-generated video shared on US President Donald Trump’s social media accounts, saying the sense of “shame” and “decency” that once underpinned public office has all but disappeared.
The video, which was later deleted, included a clip depicting Mr. Obama and first lady Michelle Obama as monkeys, prompting condemnation from both Democrats and Republicans.
The clip appeared at the end of a lengthy video posted to President Trump’s “Truth Social” account that reiterated baseless claims of voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election.
President Obama made the remarks during a podcast interview with liberal commentator Brian Tyler Cohen, who asked him about the tone of American political discourse and cited controversial posts as examples.
President Obama did not mention President Trump by name, but said he found most Americans very concerned about such actions.
“It’s true that it’s the attention. It’s true that it’s a distraction,” he said, adding that as he travels around the country, he continues to meet people who believe in “decency, civility and kindness.”
“There’s this kind of clown show going on on social media and on television,” President Obama said, lamenting the apparent lack of restraint among people who once felt a responsibility to maintain dignity and respect for public office.
The video sparked intense political backlash. Sen. Tim Scott, the only Black Republican in the Senate, called it the most racist act he had seen in the White House.
Critics said the image reflected racist caricatures that have historically been used against black people.
The White House initially dismissed the criticism as a “false outrage,” but later attributed the post to a staffer and deleted it.
President Trump later told reporters he had not seen the part of the video that showed the Obamas and said he had no intention of apologizing.
During the 47-minute podcast episode, President Obama also commented on a variety of other issues, including immigration protests, redistricting and the presidential library scheduled to open in Chicago next year.
United States of America (USA)
February 15, 2026, 14:48 IST
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