By DAYO ADESULU
The United States political space was thrown into renewed controversy late Thursday after President Donald Trump shared a racially offensive, AI-generated video depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as monkeys. The video, widely condemned as dehumanising and racist, quickly triggered backlash across social media and civil rights circles, especially as it surfaced during Black History Month.
Trump posted the video on his Truth Social platform during a rapid and erratic late-night posting spree, releasing dozens of posts within less than an hour. While many of the posts recycled his long-standing and debunked claims that the 2020 presidential election was rigged, the AI-altered clip stood out for its overtly racist imagery and symbolism.
AI-Generated Clip Triggers Immediate Backlash
According to multiple online users who reviewed the footage, the video was a compilation largely centred on Trump’s false election fraud narrative. However, near the one-minute mark, the clip abruptly shifts to an AI-generated segment in which the faces of Barack and Michelle Obama are digitally superimposed onto monkeys’ bodies.
The offensive imagery was accompanied by the song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” a creative choice many critics described as deliberately mocking and racially charged. Trump reportedly shared the same video twice, amplifying its reach before it began circulating widely across other platforms, including X (formerly Twitter).
Almost immediately, users condemned the post, describing it as racist, demeaning, and deeply offensive. Civil rights advocates and political commentators accused Trump of reviving racist tropes that have historically been used to dehumanise Black people in America and beyond.
Black History Month Context Deepens Criticism
The timing of the post further intensified public outrage. February is recognised as Black History Month in the United States, a period dedicated to celebrating Black achievements while reflecting on the history of racial injustice and discrimination.
Many critics argued that sharing such content during this period was not coincidental but provocative. Online reactions ranged from calls for platform accountability to renewed demands for stronger regulation of AI-generated political content.
“This is not just offensive; it is dangerous,” one user wrote. “Using AI to reinforce racist stereotypes shows how technology can be weaponised for hate.”
Part of a Broader Pattern of Online Escalation
The racist AI video was only one element of Trump’s broader posting blitz that night. Throughout the spree, he once again promoted unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election—allegations that have been repeatedly dismissed by U.S. courts, election officials, and independent audits.
Despite overwhelming evidence rejecting those claims, Trump has continued to amplify them as political tensions rise ahead of the U.S. midterm elections and the intensifying 2024 presidential cycle.
In a separate and unrelated post during the same spree, Trump shared a cryptic message reading, “This can be a great option if things don’t work out,” alongside a video clip of martial arts icon Bruce Lee in a fight scene. Trump offered no explanation for the post, leaving critics to speculate about its meaning.
Some observers described the posts as signs of an increasingly erratic online presence, while supporters dismissed criticism as politically motivated.
Renewed Scrutiny Over Election Rhetoric
The controversy over the Trump racist AI video Obama incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of Trump’s recent remarks about the U.S. electoral system.
Earlier this week, Trump suggested that Republicans should “take over” election administration in several locations across the country. Speaking on a conservative podcast hosted by former deputy FBI director Dan Bongino, he went further by floating the idea of nationalising elections.
“The Republicans should say, ‘We want to take over,’” Trump reportedly said, adding that elections should be brought under stronger federal control.
However, during an interview with NBC News correspondent Tom Llamas on Wednesday, Trump attempted to distance himself from the comments. “I didn’t say nationalise,” he claimed, despite recorded audio of the earlier remarks circulating widely online.
White House Response Falls Short of Calm
As criticism mounted, the White House attempted to soften the impact of Trump’s statements. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that the president remains committed to the U.S. Constitution, insisting that his concerns stem from what she described as “fraud and irregularities” in past elections.
Nevertheless, those claims remain unsupported by evidence, and only hours after the White House briefing, Trump appeared to double down.
Speaking from the Oval Office, he reiterated his belief that the federal government should play a direct role in voting administration. “The federal government should get involved,” Trump said, reigniting concerns about democratic norms and institutional overreach.
AI, Racism, and Political Accountability
Beyond the immediate outrage, the incident has reignited debate about the misuse of artificial intelligence in political messaging. Experts warn that AI-generated content, when left unchecked, can amplify misinformation, hate speech, and racial stereotypes at unprecedented speed.
For many critics, the video represents not just a personal attack on the Obamas, but a broader threat to ethical political discourse in the digital age.
As reactions continue to pour in, pressure is mounting on social media platforms, lawmakers, and civil society groups to address the growing intersection of AI technology, racism, and political power.
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