Barack Obama has broken his silence on the racist video shared by President Donald Trump that depicted the former president and Michelle Obama with their faces superimposed on animated apes.
In an interview with Brian Tyler Cohen released Saturday, Feb. 14, Obama, 64, described the now-deleted video as “deeply troubling.” The clip, which Trump, 79, shared on Truth Social on Feb. 5, showed the Obamas’ faces on apes dancing to “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.”
“It’s important to recognize that the majority of the American people find this behavior deeply troubling,” Obama said. He criticized what he called a “clown show that’s happening in social media and on television,” though he did not mention Trump by name when Cohen brought up the video.
Trump refused to apologize when questioned by a journalist on Feb. 6, saying, “No, I didn’t make a mistake.” He claimed he only watched the beginning of the video, which was part of a longer clip about unsubstantiated 2020 election fraud allegations.
The White House later stated that “a White House staffer erroneously made the post” before it was taken down. The staffer has not been identified. On Feb. 12, Trump confirmed he has not fired or disciplined anyone over the incident.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the post, calling it “an internet meme video depicting President Trump as the King of the Jungle and Democrats as characters from The Lion King.”
Obama also addressed broader political discourse, stating, “There doesn’t seem to be any shame about this among people who used to feel like you had to have some sort of decorum and the sense of propriety and respect for the office. That’s been lost.”
What to watch next:
- Whether Trump will take any action against the unidentified staffer
- Public and political reaction to Obama’s first direct comments on the incident
- Any further statements from the White House or Obama
Sources: PEOPLE (Escher Walcott, published Feb. 15, 2026); Brian Tyler Cohen interview (YouTube, released Feb. 14, 2026)
Evan Cole Editor-in-Chief | Breaking News & Public Policy
“From Washington to Wall Street, and Main Street to Hollywood—Evan Cole connects the dots.”
As the Editor-in-Chief at Newskilo, Evan leads a dynamic team of journalists dedicated to uncovering the truth behind the headlines. With over 15 years in digital media, Evan has a reputation for cutting through the noise.
While he is widely recognized for his deep analysis of U.S. fiscal policy (IRS & Stimulus), Evan’s expertise extends to global current events, corporate accountability, and cultural trends. Whether he is breaking down a complex government bill, exposing a tech giant’s failure, or analyzing the societal impact of a viral celebrity moment, Evan’s goal is simple: To tell the stories that shape our world with clarity, accuracy, and integrity.