Donald Trump stirred controversy after sharing a profoundly offensive video portraying Barack and Michelle Obama as apes. Though the video has since been taken down, Trump remains unapologetic.
Responding at last, Barack Obama addressed the incident.
Obama Addresses the Incident Across the Nation
Barack Obama, former President, has voiced his thoughts after President Donald Trump shared a startling video online that showed both him and former First Lady Michelle Obama depicted as apes. Released on social media earlier this month and quickly removed, this video caused uproar among many, intensifying tensions between these political giants.
In a conversation with YouTuber Brian Tyler Cohen on February 14, Obama, now 64, candidly expressed his views on the matter. He described the video, which showed them as dancing animated apes to the song The Lion Sleeps Tonight, as “deeply troubling.” Obama contended that such displays highlight a disturbing trend in American politics.
“It’s crucial to acknowledge that most Americans find this behavior deeply unsettling,” said Obama. “While it garners attention and serves as a distraction, I’ve met people while traveling who still uphold decency, courtesy, and kindness. These qualities are being overshadowed by the circus-like antics on social media and television.”
Continuing, Obama commented on the degradation of dignity in the highest office, pointing out that “there seems to be no shame, a sense of decorum, or respect for the presidency anymore. That has been lost.” He reiterated, “This social media and television circus act has become the norm.”
Initially shared on February 5, the video immediately faced condemnation across political lines.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt attempted to downplay the backlash, urging TMZ to “end the fake outrage and focus on issues that truly matter to Americans today.” Even some within Trump’s party criticized the post.
Among them, Republican Senator Tim Scott labeled it “the most blatantly racist move I’ve witnessed from this administration.”
Despite calls for an apology, Trump, 79, declined, claiming an unknown staffer created the video. He asserted, “No, I didn’t err. I view thousands of things. I saw the beginning, it seemed fine. It appeared as a parody of The Lion King, certainly a strong post concerning voter fraud.”
Obama’s critique extended beyond the virality of the video. He also addressed concerns regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under Trump’s leadership, describing actions as “deeply troubling” and “hazardous.”
A Call for Awareness Among Americans
Obama pointed out the federal interventions in areas like Minneapolis-Saint Paul: “It’s essential to grasp the unprecedented actions by ICE there, the way agents were deployed without clear training or guidelines, extracting people from homes, manipulating children to capture parents, and the use of tear gas against compliant crowds.”
Linking this to broader national values, Obama mentioned tragedies like the killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, calling it “a sorrowful tragedy” and “a crucial wake-up call” for Americans of all party affiliations. He stressed that incidents, including those involving Renee Good, a 37-year-old woman shot by an immigration agent, lacked proper investigation under Trump’s direction.
Highlighting the national atmosphere and civic duties, Obama remarked, “Americans ultimately express their views on these actions at the ballot box. There’s still a belief in decency, courtesy, and kindness. Together, we shall challenge and oppose these actions with honesty.”
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