Trump Under Fire for Controversial AI Video Depicting Obamas as Apes

By Rob Redding

Editor & Publisher

NEW YORK, Feb. 6, 2026, 5 p.m. — In a jaw-dropping move that has ignited outrage across the political spectrum, former President Donald Trump has once again stirred controversy by sharing a disturbing AI-generated video on his social media platform, Truth Social. The clip superimposes the faces of Barack and Michelle Obama onto ape bodies, accompanied by the haunting melody of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight."

The video, believed to be created by an AI account known as @XERIAS_X, was posted last night and quickly drew fierce condemnation. Critics accused Trump of promoting racist propaganda, with California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office calling the post “disgusting behavior” and demanding that all Republicans denounce it.

This isn’t the first time Trump has shared such inflammatory content involving the Obamas. Back in July, he posted a fake arrest video of Barack Obama, captioned “No one is above the law,” sparking another wave of outrage.

Social media experts say the latest clip is part of Trump’s ongoing campaign of provocative tactics, but many worry it crosses a line. “This is not just politics; it's hate speech,” said political analyst Lisa Carter. “Using AI to depict the Obamas as apes is deeply racist and unacceptable.”

The White House swiftly responded, with spokesperson Karoline Leavitt dismissing the clip as “fake meme nonsense,” urging the public to focus on issues that matter.

By midday, the controversial post was swiftly taken down, with officials pointing the finger at a staff member within Trump’s team for the mistake.

Trump himself chose to stay silent on the matter, offering no public comment or explanation.

The timing of the post was particularly sensitive, as it surfaced during the first week of Black History Month. Just days earlier, the President had issued a proclamation honoring the vital contributions of Black Americans to the nation’s history and emphasizing their unwavering dedication to the core principles of liberty, justice, and equality. The juxtaposition of the two events has sparked widespread criticism and raised questions about the message being sent during a time of national reflection.

Rob Redding is the author of No. 1 best selling book Black Power in the Age of Artificial Supremacy Featuring Redding-Shim Kwet Yung . He is the bestselling author of 18 books. He is the host of Redding News Review Unrestricted and creator of ReddingNewsReview.com. He is also an emerging visual artist who lives and teaches at two colleges in New York City.