Former US Presidents Clash Over Racist AI-Generated Video
A public dispute has emerged between former US presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump following the circulation of a racist AI-generated video depicting the Obamas with ape-like features. The video was shared on social media by an account associated with Trump, who later denied having viewed the clip’s most offensive segment and refused to apologise.
The video, which used artificial intelligence to create degrading imagery of Barack and Michelle Obama, was posted to Trump’s Truth Social platform last week. While the post was quickly removed, it resurfaced across other social media platforms, sparking condemnation from civil rights groups and political observers.
After remaining silent for several days, Obama addressed the incident during an interview aired on Saturday. He criticised the erosion of basic decorum in public discourse, stating, “There’s this sort of clown show that’s happening in social media and on television, and what is true is that 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 a sense of propriety and respect for the office.”
Trump, for his part, distanced himself from the content. He claimed he had not seen the specific portion of the video showing the Obamas’ faces superimposed on ape bodies. He attributed the post to a staff member and stated unequivocally that he would not issue an apology.
The incident highlights the persistent and personal animosity between the two political figures. Trump, during his presidency and since, frequently referred to his predecessor as “Barack Hussein Obama,” a practice interpreted by many as a deliberate effort to otherise him. This latest episode suggests a further deepening of that rift, now extending into the realm of digitally manipulated, racially charged imagery.
Analysts note that the use of AI to create such divisive content represents a new frontier in political smearing, raising concerns about the proliferation of hyper-realistic misinformation. The exchange also underscores a broader decline in normative standards of political conduct, where actions once considered unacceptable are increasingly met with defiance rather than regret.
The confrontation is likely to amplify debates over social media regulation, the ethics of AI in political communication, and the responsibilities of public figures in condemning racist content. As the 2024 US presidential campaign intensifies, the incident serves as a stark indicator of the deeply personal and technologically amplified nature of contemporary political warfare.
