Barack Obama is speaking out about the offensive AI-generated video that President Trump posted on Truth Social in February 2026, showing the former president and Michelle Obama as apes — yet he’s emphasizing he won’t make criticizing Trump his primary focus.
In a comprehensive interview with writer David Remnick published May 4, 2026, Obama issued a firm warning to Trump while refusing what he called the “political bait” of constantly commenting on the chaos from the White House. His comments to The New Yorker mark his harshest public statements yet regarding one of the most racially offensive incidents during Trump’s second presidency.
A Standard Everyone Should Respect
The AI video, set to “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” appeared at the end of a longer video Trump’s Truth Social account shared in February, promoting false claims about voter fraud in the 2020 election. The content came from an X post shared in October by conservative internet figure Xerias and faced widespread criticism across party lines. Senator Tim Scott, the only Black Republican in the Senate, called it “the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House.”
The White House initially defended the post, calling the backlash “fake outrage,” then shifted by blaming an aide. The post was taken down, but Trump later said he posted it himself and refused to apologize. When asked by reporters if he planned to apologize, Trump said, “I didn’t make a mistake.”
Obama, the country’s first Black president, told Remnick he accepts criticism directed at him — but his family members should not be targeted.
“I don’t take it personally,” Obama said. “I mean, I’m always offended when my wife and kids get dragged into things, because they didn’t choose this…That’s a line that even people whose politics I deeply reject, I would expect them to care about. I would never talk about somebody’s family in that way.”
The former president added, with subtle humor, that Trump should limit his attacks to him: “I’m a fair target in the sense of, yeah, you can feel free to pick on me, because I’m your own size.”
More Worried About Violence Content
Interestingly, Obama said the ape video is not his biggest concern about Trump’s social media posts. He instead pointed to other AI videos the president has shared — videos depicting violence “like a video game” and showing “excrement dumped on ordinary citizens.” These, he argued, represent a more troubling decline in presidential behavior than even the dehumanizing images targeting him and Michelle.
The video drew on old racist comparisons between Black people and animals, and the reaction spread to Congress. At the State of the Union, Congressman Al Green held up a sign reading “Black People Aren’t Apes,” showing the strength of Democratic anger. Even many longtime Trump supporters condemned the post as among his most openly bigoted acts.
Why He Won’t Become the Next Jon Stewart
Despite mounting pressure from Democratic officials asking the ex-president to speak out more forcefully, Obama said he has no interest in becoming a constant critic.
“For me to function like Jon Stewart, even once a week, just going off, just ripping what was happening — which, by the way, I’m glad Jon’s doing it — then I’m not a political leader, I’m a commentator,” he said.
Obama acknowledged his supporters’ frustration, noting that today’s media environment prevents people from seeing the work he’s doing — which includes involvement in upcoming midterm elections and campaigns to fix unfair voting districts. The current culture, he observed, favors constant sensationalism over serious substantive work.
A ‘Clown Show’ and a Nation
Obama’s New Yorker interview builds on comments he made in February on progressive host Brian Tyler Cohen’s show, where, in a 47-minute segment released Saturday, Feb. 14, he addressed what Cohen called a national conversation that “has devolved to a level of cruelty that we haven’t seen before.” Cohen asked Obama about the ape video and the administration’s characterization of people targeted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations as “domestic terrorists.”
Without naming Trump directly, Obama expressed concern that “there doesn’t seem to be any shame” among government officials who once valued “decorum” and “respect for the office.” He called the conduct a “clown show” but noted that regular Americans he meets during his travels still believe in “decency, courtesy, kindness.”
In the radio interview, Obama also praised Americans who have peacefully opposed immigration enforcement actions, discussed redistricting issues, and mentioned his upcoming presidential library, set to open in Chicago in 2027.
His public involvement has come with personal costs. Obama revealed in the New Yorker interview that his continued activism has created “genuine tension” in his marriage. Michelle, he said, “wants to see her husband easing up and spending more time with her, enjoying what remains of our lives.” Obama acknowledged the burden he’s carrying, noting that no other former president has served as the main party leader across four consecutive election cycles after leaving office.
Obama appears focused on choosing his battles — speaking out for his family, working behind the scenes on elections, and letting others handle daily media criticism. As he told Remnick, most Americans already view Trump’s actions as “deeply troubling.” He believes there’s little value in repeating this message constantly.