A social media post from former President Donald Trump has ignited a firestorm of criticism and accusations of racism. The post, which has since been deleted, featured a video that included an animated segment depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama in a manner widely condemned as offensive.
The video, shared on the former president’s personal platform, was part of a broader presentation concerning the 2020 election. Its concluding segment, set to a well-known song, showed the Obamas with their heads superimposed on animated ape-like bodies. The imagery was immediately denounced by political figures and commentators across the spectrum.
In response to the growing controversy, a spokesperson for the former president dismissed the reaction as “fake outrage,” characterizing the video as a lighthearted internet meme casting Trump in a dominant, jungle-themed role. The spokesperson urged the public and press to focus on other issues.
However, the post was removed several hours later. An official statement attributed the posting to an error by an unidentified staff member who had access to the account.
The backlash was swift and severe. A prominent Democratic governor labeled the behavior “disgusting” and called for universal condemnation from the opposing party. A former national security official who served under President Obama suggested history would judge the incident harshly, contrasting the Obamas’ legacy with what he described as a stain on the nation’s record. Public reaction online ranged from disbelief to revulsion, with many expressing shock that the post was authentic.
This incident is the latest in a long-standing public rivalry. For over a decade, the former president has leveled various criticisms and unfounded claims against his predecessor, including repeatedly questioning President Obama’s birthplace. Tensions have also manifested in symbolic gestures, such as the relocation of President Obama’s official portrait within the White House during the previous administration.
Political analysts and media personalities have often interpreted these actions as stemming from a deep-seated resentment. They argue that the former president is preoccupied with contrasting his own public persona and legacy with that of the Obama family, whom they describe as embodying qualities of intellect, stability, and cultural esteem that he allegedly lacks. This latest social media post, critics say, is a stark manifestation of that enduring fixation.