Barack Obama Breaks Silence After Release of Recording Suggesting Monkey Comparisons

Former President Barack Obama has publicly addressed for the first time the controversial video material that Donald Trump shared on his Truth Social platform on February 5, 2026. The film, created using artificial intelligence, showed the faces of the presidential couple superimposed on the bodies of monkeys to the rhythm of the song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”. Obama, appearing on Brian Tyler Cohen's podcast, described the situation as “deeply disturbing” and pointed to the erosion of decorum and mutual respect due to the office of the head of state. Comparing Black people to monkeys has a long and dark history in the United States, dating back to the times of slavery and the pseudoscientific racism of the 19th century, serving to dehumanize this social group. The incident sparked a wave of outrage on both sides of the political spectrum, though Trump's own reaction was dismissive. According to media reports, the current presidential contender had privately criticized senators from his own party who dared to condemn the racist undertone of the publication. The White House initially rejected the content of the recording as unacceptable, but Donald Trump consistently avoids responsibility for sharing the clip, describing contemporary communication as a “circus” on social media. Barack Obama emphasized that the lack of social and political shame for such actions is an alarming signal for the condition of American democracy. „It seems there is no longer any shame associated with such actions, which indicates a profound decline in our political discourse.” — Barack Obama 10 days — passed from the recording's publication to Obama's official response Experts point out that the use of deepfake technology in the election campaign opens a dangerous chapter, in which the line between satire and brutal racism is deliberately blurred. Obama noted that the current situation differs from standard political fighting because it strikes at basic human values. This event coincided in time with other controversies surrounding political rhetoric, which, according to the former president, turns public debate into a “clown show,” where hatred gains more reach than substantive discussion of the country's problems. Emphasizes the racist nature of the material and the need to protect ethics in politics, pointing to the lack of empathy on the part of Republicans. | May downplay the incident as a form of internet satire, emphasizing freedom of speech and the right to harsh criticism of elites.