US President Donald Trump has faced widespread backlash after posting an AI-generated video that depicted former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as monkeys on his social media platform, Truth Social.
The video, which was later deleted, also showed other prominent Democratic figures with animal imagery and repeated false claims about the 2020 US election. It was reportedly liked thousands of times before its removal.
A White House official said the post was mistakenly uploaded by a staff member and was taken down, while describing it as an “internet meme” shared without malicious intent.
However, the content triggered strong condemnation from Democrats and public figures across the United States, who described it as racist and dehumanising.
California Governor Gavin Newsom called it “disgusting behaviour,” while former Obama adviser Ben Rhodes said it reflected a legacy of racism that future generations would judge harshly.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries also criticised Trump, describing him as “vile” and “unhinged,” while urging Republicans to condemn the post.
The White House press secretary defended the video, saying it was intended as satire portraying Trump as the “King of the Jungle” alongside Democrats in a Lion King-style meme.
Despite the defence, critics argued the imagery echoed long-standing racist stereotypes and said political leaders must be held accountable for the language and content they promote.
Trump has previously faced controversy over AI-generated and edited visuals posted online, which his critics say are increasingly used to mock opponents and promote political narratives.
