Obama Criticizes Trump over AI Video, Affirms Americans Still Believe in Decency

DID Press: Former US President Barack Obama strongly condemned Donald Trump after a manipulated AI video circulated on the social media platform Truth Social, depicting him and Michelle Obama as monkeys. In an interview with Brian Tyler Cohen, Obama described the incident as an example of “clownish theatrics” online and a sign of “declining respect for the presidency.”

Obama criticized Trump for blaming a staff member while keeping the individual in their position, emphasizing that “most Americans find this behavior concerning. While such videos attract attention, when you travel across the country, people still believe in civility, respect, and kindness.”

Social media and television portrayals are far removed from the values traditionally expected of the presidential office, he added.

Meanwhile, Caroline Lewitt dismissed the outrage as “manufactured anger,” likening the video to a parody of The Lion King. The video was later removed, and a White House spokesperson confirmed it was “an employee error.”

Trump, however, did not apologize, claiming “no mistake occurred” and that no staff member was dismissed, framing the video release as part of a discussion on “election fraud.”

The incident has reignited debates over social media’s role, political accountability, and ethical boundaries for AI use in political campaigns.