Barack Obama’s brutal reply to Trump after racist video depicting him and Michelle as apes
Former President Barack Obama has spoken publicly about a recent social media controversy involving a video shared by President Donald Trump that drew widespread criticism and was later deleted.
The clip, posted earlier this month on Truth Social, sparked backlash across the political spectrum, with many critics calling it offensive and inflammatory. Although the post was removed, Trump did not issue a direct apology, and the incident quickly became another flashpoint in the ongoing tensions surrounding political rhetoric online.
In an interview released Saturday, Feb. 14, with YouTuber Brian Tyler Cohen, Obama described the post as “deeply troubling” and said it reflected what he views as a broader decline in political discourse.
“It’s important to recognize that the majority of the American people find this behavior deeply troubling,” Obama said, adding that while such moments often generate attention, they also serve as distractions from more serious issues.
Obama also expressed concern about what he characterized as a loss of decorum associated with the presidency and public leadership.
“There doesn’t seem to be any shame about this among people who used to feel like you had to have some sort of decorum and a sense of propriety and respect for the office,” he said.
The video was met with swift condemnation, including from some Republican figures. Senator Tim Scott criticized the post as offensive, while the White House dismissed the backlash, urging the public to focus on issues it described as more important.
Trump later said the video had been shared by a staff member and claimed he had not fully reviewed it before it was posted, describing it as intended political commentary rather than a personal attack.
Beyond the social media dispute, Obama used the interview to raise concerns about immigration enforcement practices under the Trump administration. He referenced reports of aggressive federal operations in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area, calling certain tactics “deeply concerning” and warning they could undermine established norms.
Obama connected these concerns to what he framed as a larger debate about American values and accountability, pointing to recent high-profile incidents that have drawn national attention.
“The American people will ultimately decide how they feel about these actions when they head to the ballot box,” Obama said. “People still believe in decency, courtesy, kindness. And we’re going to fight back and push back with the truth.”
The controversy highlights the increasingly polarized nature of political discourse in the United States, particularly as social media continues to shape how public figures communicate — and how quickly backlash can erupt.
