Truth Social backlash explodes after Trump shares racist video targeting Barack and Michelle Obama
Donald Trump. Picture: David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images
A fresh political firestorm erupted late Thursday after President Donald Trump shared a controversial video on Truth Social that briefly depicted former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as monkeys, triggering widespread condemnation across the US political spectrum.
The post, shared during a late-night social media spree, has intensified concerns over racist imagery, election misinformation, and the president’s use of AI-generated content on his preferred platform, Truth Social.
What Was in the Truth Social Video Posted by Trump?
The 62-second video, posted at approximately 11:44 p.m. ET, primarily recycled long-debunked conspiracy theories alleging manipulation of 2020 election vote-counting machines, including claims targeting Dominion Voting Systems.
However, outrage centered on the final seconds of the clip, where an AI-altered segment briefly superimposed the faces of Barack and Michelle Obama onto the bodies of monkeys, set to “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” The depiction lasted roughly one to two seconds, but was enough to ignite national backlash.
The clip carried a watermark linked to a pro-Trump account on X, raising further questions about the sourcing and vetting of content shared directly by the president.
Democrats and Republicans Condemn Racist Imagery
Reaction was swift and fierce. Democratic leaders, anti-Trump Republicans, and political strategists condemned the post as overtly racist and unbecoming of a sitting president.
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s press office described the post as “disgusting behavior by the President,” calling on Republicans to denounce it publicly. Political strategist Adam Parkhomenko labeled the video “overt racism, full stop,” while conservative outlet The Bulwark expressed shock that the content was posted at all.
Former Obama adviser Ben Rhodes stated that history would remember the Obamas fondly while viewing Trump’s actions as a “stain on our history.”
Truth Social Post Remains Live Despite Outrage
Despite claims from some MAGA influencers that circulating screenshots were fake or manipulated, independent verification confirmed the video remains live on Trump’s Truth Social feed. Archived copies were also preserved via the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine, ensuring permanent public record of the post.
As of Friday morning, the video had amassed thousands of likes and reposts, further amplifying its reach amid mounting criticism.
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Part of a Larger Pattern of Attacks on Barack Obama
The controversial video is not an isolated incident. During his second term, Trump has repeatedly escalated attacks against Barack Obama, including baseless accusations of treason tied to conspiracy theories about Russian election interference.
Trump has also previously shared AI-generated videos portraying Obama being arrested or imprisoned, reinforcing concerns about the weaponization of artificial intelligence and misinformation in modern political discourse.
Renewed Scrutiny on Truth Social Moderation
The episode has reignited debate over content moderation on Truth Social, a platform Trump has positioned as a free-speech alternative to mainstream social networks. Critics argue the platform now functions as a direct megaphone for inflammatory and misleading content, with minimal safeguards.
With Trump posting more than 60 times in a single overnight stretch, including conspiracy claims and personal attacks, political analysts warn that Truth Social may play an outsized role in shaping political narratives ahead of future elections.
Why This Controversy Matters
The backlash underscores growing concerns about racism, misinformation, and AI manipulation at the highest levels of political power. As the first Black president and first lady in US history, the Obamas remain powerful symbols, making the imagery particularly inflammatory.
The incident also highlights how Truth Social has become central to Trump’s political strategy, bypassing traditional media while amplifying unfiltered messaging to millions of followers.
FAQ
What did Donald Trump post on Truth Social about the Obamas?
Trump shared a video containing an AI-generated clip depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as monkeys within an election conspiracy video.
Was the video racist?
Yes. Political leaders and civil rights advocates widely condemned the imagery as racist and offensive.
Is the Truth Social video still available?
As of Friday morning, the video remained live on Trump’s Truth Social account and archived online.
Did Trump know about the racist imagery?
It remains unclear whether Trump personally reviewed the clip in full before sharing it.
What was the video mainly about?
The video promoted false claims that the 2020 US election was manipulated, particularly targeting vote-counting machines.
Who criticized Trump over the post?
Critics included Democratic leaders, Never-Trump Republicans, former Obama officials, and political commentators.
Has Trump shared similar content before?
Yes. Trump has previously shared AI-generated videos and conspiracy-themed content targeting Barack Obama.
Is Truth Social moderating Trump’s posts?
There is no indication the platform plans to remove or moderate the video.