Trump Shares Racist AI Video of Obamas as Monkeys, Sparks Condemnation

Former U.S. President Donald Trump ignited a firestorm of criticism on February 5, 2026, by posting an AI-generated video on his Truth Social platform that depicted former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes. The one-minute video, which was shared late on a Thursday night, also propagated false claims about the 2020 U.S. presidential election, alleging that Dominion Voting Systems manipulated the results. The brief segment featuring the Obamas showed their faces superimposed onto dancing monkeys, set to the song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight." This imagery quickly drew widespread condemnation across the political spectrum, with critics denouncing it as racist and demeaning. The video originated from an X user, @XERIAS_X, and had been posted in October 2025. It also featured other prominent Democrats depicted as animals, with Trump himself portrayed as a lion. The timing of the post, coinciding with the beginning of Black History Month in February, further amplified the criticism, with many pointing out the historical use of ape and monkey imagery to dehumanize Black people. Democrats and civil rights advocates were swift to condemn the post. California Governor Gavin Newsom's office released a statement calling the behavior "disgusting" and urging all Republicans to denounce it. Ben Rhodes, a former national security advisor to President Obama, stated that Trump and his followers would be remembered as a "stain on our history." Prominent Republicans also voiced their disapproval, with Senator Tim Scott calling the video "blatantly racist" and Democrat Hakeem Jeffries describing it as "vile." The White House, however, defended Trump's post, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissing the criticism as "fake outrage" and characterizing the video as an "internet meme." This defense was met with further criticism, with many arguing that such a defense was inadequate given the explicitly racist nature of the imagery. The video's content, which recycled debunked claims of election fraud, has been a recurring theme in Trump's social media activity. He has a history of sharing AI-generated content and conspiracy theories to rally his base and attack opponents. In previous instances, Trump has shared AI-generated videos depicting Barack Obama being arrested and imprisoned, and other political figures portrayed in demeaning ways. The use of AI-generated imagery in political discourse has become a growing concern, particularly when it is used to spread misinformation and amplify harmful stereotypes. The incident underscores the ongoing debate about the impact of artificial intelligence in politics and the responsibility of social media platforms to moderate such content. The condemnation of Trump's post highlights the sensitivity surrounding racial depictions in political discourse, especially given the historical context of such imagery. The event also brings into focus the divisions within the United States and the contentious nature of political communication in the digital age. For the Indian audience, this event serves as a stark reminder of how political figures in major global powers can leverage advanced technology like AI to spread divisive content, often with racist undertones. While the immediate impact is on U.S. politics, the underlying themes of misinformation, hate speech, and the use of technology for political manipulation resonate globally. Such incidents can influence perceptions of international political discourse and raise questions about the responsible use of AI. The condemnation from various figures, including those outside the immediate U.S. political sphere, demonstrates the global awareness of these issues. The timing during Black History Month also adds a layer of sensitivity, emphasizing how such content can intersect with social justice issues and historical injustices.

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