‘Clown show’: Obama reacts to Trump sharing racist monkey video
Al Jazeera
February 15, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Former President Barack Obama has expressed strong disapproval of former President Donald Trump’s decision to share a racist video depicting himself and his wife Michelle as monkeys on social media. Speaking in a podcast interview, Obama criticized the degradation of political discourse under Trump’s leadership, emphasizing that such behavior reflects a lack of respect for office and undermines decorum. He noted that a majority of Americans find this type of conduct deeply troubling, which could have negative consequences for the Republican Party in upcoming midterm elections.
The video, shared on Trump’s Truth Social platform, included a brief but offensive clip during a longer conspiracy theory promoting election fraud claims. The Obamas’ faces were superimposed onto monkey bodies, perpetuating harmful racial stereotypes. This act of mockery occurred during Black History Month, further adding to its insensitivity and symbolism. While Trump initially distanced himself from the video, claiming it was an error by his staff, he later defended its core message about election fraud.
Obama also addressed broader concerns about the current state of political dialogue in the U.S., comparing some actions by federal immigration agents to those seen in authoritarian regimes. He highlighted the systematic pushback from communities and citizens against such policies, emphasizing the
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/15/2026