Obama Slams ‘Clown Present’ Politics Following Trump Ape Publish

[ad_1] by Mary Spiller February 15, 2026

The previous president says 'disgrace' and respect for public workplace have pale.

Former President Barack Obama criticized the coarsening tone of American politics throughout a current podcast look, days after a racially offensive video focusing on him and former First Woman Michelle Obama circulated on President Donald Trump’s social media account.

Talking with liberal commentator Brian Tyler Cohen in a 47-minute episode launched on Feb. 14, Obama didn't reference Trump instantly however addressed what he described as a broader decline in public requirements. “Discourse has devolved to a stage of cruelty that we haven’t seen earlier than,” he stated when requested concerning the state of political dialog in america.

As reported by BBC, the controversy stems from a video shared on Trump’s Fact Social platform that included unfounded allegations about fraud within the 2020 presidential election. On the finish of the clip — set to the track “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” — was a picture depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes. The imagery evoked long-standing racist stereotypes and shortly sparked condemnation from each Democratic and Republican leaders.

🚨Donald Trump posted this video on Fact Social depicting Michelle Obama and Barack Obama as monkeys

There’s no coming again fromThis. There’s no “he didn’t imply it.” He “isn’t racist.” The president is a monster, a chunk of shit. And for those who select to defend him, you might be too. pic.twitter.com/bYx5ayejmY

— CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) February 6, 2026

Among the many critics was Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, the one Black Republican within the Senate, who known as it “probably the most racist factor I’ve seen out of this White Home.”

Initially, the White Home dismissed criticism as “pretend outrage.” The submit was later eliminated, with officers attributing its publication to a workers member. Trump instructed reporters he “didn’t see” the portion of the video that includes the Obamas and stated, “I didn’t make a mistake,” when requested if he deliberate to apologize.

Throughout the podcast, Cohen referenced the submit whereas discussing broader political tensions, together with rhetoric surrounding immigration enforcement. He famous that the White Home had labeled some Immigration and Customs Enforcement targets as “home terrorists” and added, “Simply days in the past, Donald Trump put an image of you, your face, on an ape’s physique.”

Obama responded by shifting focus to public response. “It’s essential to acknowledge that almost all of the American individuals discover this conduct deeply troubling,” he stated. “It's true that it will get consideration. It’s true that it’s a distraction.”

Whereas condemning the tone of sure media and on-line areas — calling it “this type of clown present that’s taking place in social media and on tv” — Obama stated his travels throughout the nation recommend many Individuals “nonetheless consider in decency, courtesy, kindness.”

He added that what as soon as guided public officers — “some type of decorum and a way of propriety and respect for the workplace” — now seems diminished. “That’s been misplaced,” he stated.

Past the controversy, Obama additionally mentioned peaceable protests towards immigration enforcement, electoral redistricting, and the progress of his presidential library in Chicago, slated to open subsequent 12 months.