US President Donald Trump has faced sharp criticism from opposition Democrats after sharing a controversial video on his Truth Social platform that depicted former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes. The one-minute clip also repeats unproven claims that Dominion Voting Systems played a role in stealing the 2020 election.
Posted on Thursday, the video briefly shows images of the Obamas’ faces superimposed onto ape bodies, set to the song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” Trump’s post quickly gained traction online and drew widespread backlash.
California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the post, calling it “disgusting” and urging Republican leaders to distance themselves from it. Newsom, who is widely seen as a potential contender in the 2028 presidential race, wrote on X, “Disgusting behaviour by the President. Every single Republican must denounce this. Now.”
Former national security adviser Ben Rhodes, who served under Obama, also criticised Trump and his supporters. In a strongly worded statement on X, Rhodes said Trump would be remembered as a “stain” on American history and accused him of racism. “Let it haunt Trump and his racist followers that future Americans will embrace the Obamas as beloved figures while studying him as a stain on our history,” he wrote.
This is not the first time Trump has shared AI-generated or manipulated content targeting political opponents. Last year, he posted a video showing Barack Obama being arrested in the Oval Office and later depicted behind bars in an orange jumpsuit. In another instance, a manipulated video portrayed House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries with altered features, including a fake moustache and sombrero.
Barack Obama, the first and only Black president in US history, had endorsed Kamala Harris during her 2024 presidential campaign against Trump. The latest post has renewed criticism from opponents, who say it reinforces a pattern of racially charged attacks.