Obama Calls Trump “A Clown” Over Racist Video Depicting Him and Michelle as Monkeys

Former President Barack Obama has fired back at Donald Trump after the president shared a video depicting Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as monkeys, calling the post part of a “clown show” that most Americans find deeply troubling.

WASHINGTON — Former President Barack Obama has responded sharply to a video shared by President Donald Trump that depicted him and former First Lady Michelle Obama as monkeys, calling the post part of a “clown show” and warning that such behavior could have political consequences for Republicans.

According to reports, Obama said most Americans find this kind of behavior “deeply troubling,” and he warned it could hurt Republicans in upcoming elections .

The former president also criticized extreme federal immigration actions in Minnesota, praising communities that peacefully pushed back .

The Video That Sparked the Firestorm

The video in question, posted by President Trump, used racist imagery to portray the Obamas as monkeys — a longstanding racist trope historically used to dehumanize Black people.

The post drew immediate condemnation from civil rights groups, Democratic lawmakers, and even some Republicans who described it as beyond the pale of acceptable political discourse.

The White House has not issued an apology or explanation for the post.

A Long History of Trump-Obama Tensions

The exchange is the latest chapter in a long and bitter history between the two men.

Trump rose to political prominence by promoting the “birther” conspiracy theory falsely claiming Obama was not born in the United States. During his presidency, Trump repeatedly attacked Obama’s legacy, including calling the Iran nuclear deal “stupid” and claiming he could have “bribed” Iran .

However, the relationship has occasionally shown flashes of civility. After former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral in January 2025, Trump told reporters that he and Obama “probably do” like each other .

That moment of détente now appears to be a distant memory.

Obama’s Response: A “Clown Show”

Obama’s decision to directly address the video marks a notable escalation. While the former president has generally avoided commenting on Trump’s daily provocations since leaving office, the racist nature of the post appears to have crossed a line.

By calling it a “clown show,” Obama is signaling that he views the current political discourse under Trump as unserious and destructive — a message likely aimed at motivating Democratic voters ahead of the 2026 midterms.

His warning that the behavior could hurt Republicans at the polls is notable. It suggests Obama believes the video will alienate independent and moderate voters, not just energize the Democratic base.

What’s Next?

It remains to be seen whether Trump will respond directly to Obama’s comments — or whether the White House will offer any clarification on the video.

What is clear is that the exchange has injected new volatility into an already turbulent political moment. With the 2026 midterm elections on the horizon, both parties are watching closely to see how voters react to the latest chapter in the Trump-Obama saga.

For Obama, the message was simple: the behavior is unacceptable, and Americans are paying attention.