Barack Obama is breaking his silence on the racist AI-generated video that President Trump shared on Truth Social in February 2026, depicting the former president and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes — but he’s making clear he has no intention of becoming Trump’s full-time critic.
In a sweeping new interview with writer David Remnick released May 4, 2026, Obama delivered a stern caution to Trump while also declining to accept what he termed the “political bait” of serving as a continuous commentator on the disorder coming from the White House. The statements, made to The New Yorker, represent Obama’s most pointed remarks to date regarding one of the most racially divisive incidents of Trump’s second term.
A Boundary All Should Honor
The AI video, accompanied by the tune “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” was included at the conclusion of a longer video that Trump’s Truth Social account distributed in February, advancing baseless allegations concerning voter fraud in the 2020 election. The material seemed to originate from an X post distributed in October by right-wing internet personality Xerias and promptly received condemnation from across the political spectrum. Senator Tim Scott, the sole African American Republican in the Senate, referred to it as “the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House.”
The White House first supported the post, characterizing the criticism as “fake outrage,” then changed course by attributing responsibility to an employee. The post was subsequently removed, yet Trump afterward acknowledged he was the one who posted it and declined to express regret. When asked by media whether he intended to apologize, the president simply stated, “I didn’t make a mistake.”
Obama, who previously held the position of the country’s first Black president, conveyed to Remnick that he accepts personal criticism as inevitable — yet his loved ones should not be subject to it.
“I don’t take it personally,” Obama said. “I mean, I’m always offended when my wife and kids get dragged into things, because they didn’t choose this…That’s a line that even people whose politics I deeply reject, I would expect them to care about. I would never talk about somebody’s family in that way.”
The former president continued, with a touch of understated wit, that Trump should concentrate his criticism on him alone: “I’m a fair target in the sense of, yeah, you can feel free to pick on me, because I’m your own size.”
Greater Concern About Combat Content
Unexpectedly, Obama indicated that the ape video is not his greatest worry regarding Trump’s internet postings. He instead highlighted different AI-generated material the president has distributed — videos that he claimed portray warfare “like a video game” and show “excrement dumped on ordinary citizens.” Those, he suggested, signal a more troubling erosion of how a president conducts himself than even the dehumanizing depiction aimed at him and his spouse.
The video echoed enduring hateful stereotypes comparing African Americans to primates, and the response extended to Congress. At the State of the Union Address, Congressman Al Green displayed a placard stating “Black People Aren’t Apes,” an instance that captured the strength of Democratic disapproval. Even numerous long-standing Trump allies branded the post as among the more explicitly bigoted actions of his administration.
Why He Won’t Become the Next Jon Stewart
Notwithstanding growing calls from Democratic Party members urging the ex-president to be a more vocal opponent, Obama communicated that he has no wish to assume the position of constant critic.
“For me to function like Jon Stewart, even once a week, just going off, just ripping what was happening — which, by the way, I’m glad Jon’s doing it — then I’m not a political leader, I’m a commentator,” he said.
Obama recognized the discontent his followers experience, acknowledging that the current media landscape prevents the public from recognizing the work he is performing — which includes involvement in the approaching midterm elections and ballot campaigns aimed at addressing unfair electoral maps. The prevailing attitude, he noted, has shifted toward constant publicity stunts rather than genuine substantive action.
A ‘Clown Show’ and a Nation
Obama’s New Yorker statements expand on remarks he gave in February on progressive broadcaster Brian Tyler Cohen’s program, where, during a 47-minute segment released Saturday, Feb. 14, he responded to what Cohen characterized as national conversation that “has devolved to a level of cruelty that we haven’t seen before.” Cohen questioned Obama regarding the ape video specifically, in addition to the administration’s description of those targeted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations as “domestic terrorists.”
Without specifically identifying Trump, Obama expressed dismay that “there doesn’t seem to be any shame” among government figures who once adhered to “decorum” and “respect for the office.” He termed the behavior a “clown show” yet stressed that everyday Americans he encounters during his travels maintain faith in “decency, courtesy, kindness.”
During the radio interview, Obama additionally recognized Americans who have nonviolently opposed immigration enforcement actions, examined redistricting disputes, and outlined his upcoming presidential archive, which is scheduled to launch in Chicago in 2027.
The public commitments have not been without personal sacrifice. Obama disclosed in the same New Yorker conversation that his ongoing community involvement has produced “genuine tension” in his relationship. Michelle, he clarified, “wants to see her husband easing up and spending more time with her, enjoying what remains of our lives.” Obama said he is increasingly aware of the weight being placed on him, noting that no other former president has functioned as the principal party representative across four straight election cycles following their presidency.
At this point, Obama seems inclined to select his priorities — advocating strongly for his loved ones, operating quietly on electoral initiatives, and allowing others to handle constant media commentary. As he explained to Remnick, the bulk of Americans currently see Trump’s actions as “deeply troubling.” He feels there’s no need to point this out repeatedly.