Obama Decries Trump’s Racist Ape Post As ‘Clown Show’
In a Feb. 14 interview, Obama called a Feb. 5–6 Truth Social post depicting the Obamas as apes 'deeply troubling' and criticized ICE tactics in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Overview
In a Feb. 14 interview with YouTuber Brian Tyler Cohen, former President Barack Obama called the post and broader rhetoric from the Trump orbit 'deeply troubling' and described a 'clown show' on social media and television.
The one-minute, apparently AI-generated clip posted Feb. 5–6 depicted Barack and Michelle Obama as apes, briefly appeared on Truth Social at the beginning of Black History Month, and was deleted on Feb. 6.
President Donald Trump declined to apologize, said a staffer had posted the clip, and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the post while lawmakers from both parties condemned the imagery.
Obama criticized the deployment and tactics of ICE agents in Minneapolis and St. Paul, called the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good 'heartbreaking,' and said explanations for those deaths were not informed by serious investigation.
Obama urged citizens to push back with truth, cameras and peaceful protests to shine a light on federal actions he described as authoritarian and called for a robust Democratic primary in 2028.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story as a broadly condemned, racially offensive social-media misstep by highlighting Obama's condemnation, labeling the clip 'racist' and describing its deletion and staffer-excuse. They foreground outrage and the absence of an apology while including WH defenses late, using choice terms and ordering to emphasize culpability over neutral description.
Sources (12)
FAQ
The one-minute AI-generated video, posted on February 5-6, 2026, promoted false 2020 election claims and briefly depicted Barack and Michelle Obama as apes at the end; it was deleted on February 6.
Trump declined to apologize, claiming he only saw the first part and blaming a staffer; Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt initially dismissed outrage as 'fake' before the post was removed.
In a February 14, 2026, interview with Brian Tyler Cohen, Obama called the post and Trump orbit rhetoric 'deeply troubling' and described the discourse as a 'clown show'.
Obama condemned ICE tactics in Minneapolis and St. Paul, the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good as 'heartbreaking', and urged pushback against authoritarian federal actions via truth, cameras, and protests.
Lawmakers from both parties condemned it as racist; Sen. Tim Scott called for removal, Pastor Mark Burns confirmed Trump denied posting it, and figures like Benjamin Watson denounced it amid backlash.
History
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