In a recent interview, former US President Barack Obama criticized a controversial video shared by President Donald Trump, which depicted Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes—a portrayal widely condemned as racist. Obama referred to this incident as part of a blatant “clown show” in the current political climate.
Obama shared his thoughts during a comprehensive discussion with liberal podcaster Brian Tyler Cohen. This conversation, which took place on Saturday, marked Obama’s first public remarks since the incident involving Trump’s social media account earlier in the month. The offending video, which was initially posted and later removed, drew significant backlash for its offensive imagery.
During the interview, Cohen brought up the video and sought Obama’s perspective on how the United States might address the deteriorating state of civil discourse. While Obama did not directly address Trump’s actions, he commented on the broader issue, stating, “There’s this sort of clown show that’s happening in social media and on television.” He lamented the apparent erosion of decorum, noting that individuals who once upheld standards of propriety and respect seem to have lost their sense of shame.
Despite the uproar, Trump has not issued an apology for the video. He attributed the offensive content to a staffer’s error and claimed he was unaware of the video’s final frames that contained the racist imagery.
Though Obama didn’t directly address Trump’s post, he said, “There’s this sort of clown show that’s happening in social media and on television,” adding that people “who used to feel like you had to have some sort of decorum and a sense of propriety and respect” appear to not be showing “any shame about this”.
Trump has refused to apologise for the video, blaming a staffer for the mistake and insisting he hadn’t seen the final frames of the video which contained the offensive content.
“I think it’s important to recognise that the majority of the American people find this behaviour deeply troubling,” Obama said.
“It is true that it gets attention. It’s true that it’s a distraction.”
He argued that the US can restore “norms, rule of law (and) decency” by saying “enough,” something he said he’s now “seeing across the board”.
Trump’s post was widely condemned by a wide range of American politicians and civic leaders, from civil rights chiefs to veteran Republican senators, for its treatment of the nation’s first Black president and first lady.
The US Senate’s lone Black Republican, Tim Scott of South Carolina, called on Trump to take down the post.
“Praying it was fake because it’s the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House,” Scott said.
Another Republican, Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi, is white but represents the state with the largest percentage of Black residents.
Wicker called the post “totally unacceptable” and said the president should apologise.
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