Former U.S. President Donald Trump faced sharp criticism after posting a controversial video on his social media platform, Truth Social, depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes. The one-minute video, which repeats false claims about the 2020 election being stolen via Dominion Voting Systems, briefly shows the Obamas’ faces superimposed on ape bodies, with the song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” playing in the background.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, a vocal Trump critic, condemned the video as “disgusting” and urged all Republicans to denounce it. “Disgusting behaviour by the President. Every single Republican must denounce this. Now,” Newsom’s press office posted on X. Ben Rhodes, former national security advisor and Obama confidant, described Trump’s actions as a “stain” on history, calling out his followers for embracing racism. “Let it haunt Trump and his racist followers that future Americans will embrace the Obamas as beloved figures while studying him as a stain on our history,” Rhodes tweeted.
This is not the first time Trump has used manipulated videos to target political figures. Last year, he posted AI-generated clips showing Barack Obama behind bars in an orange jumpsuit and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries wearing a fake moustache and sombrero. Critics argue such posts perpetuate racial stereotypes and deepen political divisions.
The White House, however, dismissed the uproar as “fake outrage.” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the video as “an internet meme depicting President Trump as the King of the Jungle and Democrats as characters from The Lion King,” urging media outlets to focus on more substantive issues affecting Americans.
The incident has reignited debates over social media accountability, political rhetoric, and the potential impact of AI-manipulated content on public perception and race relations in the United States.
