Former US President Donald Trump has triggered a wave of condemnation after posting a video on social media that depicted Barack Obama and Michelle Obama as apes, drawing sharp criticism from political leaders and civil rights voices who called the content racist and dehumanising.
The one-minute video, shared on Trump’s Truth Social account, revives false claims about the 2020 US presidential election, alleging wrongdoing by ballot-counting firm Dominion Voting Systems. Toward the end of the clip, the Obamas briefly appear with their faces superimposed on ape bodies, accompanied by the song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” The imagery sparked immediate backlash for echoing racist tropes historically used to demean Black people.
California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the post as “disgusting behaviour,” urging Republican leaders to publicly denounce it. Ben Rhodes, a former senior adviser to Barack Obama, said the episode would mark Trump as a “stain” on American history, adding that the Obamas would ultimately be remembered as respected figures while such attacks would age poorly.
The incident has renewed scrutiny of Trump’s repeated use of artificial intelligence and manipulated media to mock political opponents. In the past, he has shared AI-generated clips showing Barack Obama being arrested and caricatured Democratic leaders in racially charged ways. Critics argue that such content normalises misinformation and fuels online harassment, particularly against minority leaders.
The White House, however, sought to downplay the outrage, calling it “fake” and framing the video as part of an internet meme that cast Trump as the “King of the Jungle” and Democrats as characters from The Lion King. The administration urged the media to focus on issues it said mattered more to Americans.
Barack Obama remains the only Black president in US history and actively campaigned against Trump in the 2024 election. Civil rights advocates say the latest episode highlights the dangers of viral political content that blends conspiracy theories with racially offensive imagery, warning that such posts can deepen social divisions and erode democratic discourse.
