Former US President Barack Obama has condemned the erosion of shame and decorum in American political discourse, responding for the first time to a post on Donald Trump’s social media account that depicted him and former First Lady Michelle Obama as monkeys.
Speaking in a podcast interview with political commentator Brian Tyler Cohen released Saturday, Obama described the social media post as an example of the “devolution of discourse” in the country.
The post, shared on Trump’s Truth Social account on February 5, included a brief clip showing the Obamas’ faces on the bodies of monkeys for about one second, sparking widespread criticism across the political spectrum.
“The discourse has devolved into a level of cruelty that we haven’t seen before,” Cohen said during the interview, citing the offensive post. Obama, without naming Trump, said the majority of Americans “find this behaviour deeply troubling” and lamented the loss of decorum and respect for the office.
Obama also predicted that such messaging could negatively impact Trump’s Republican Party in the upcoming midterm elections, emphasising that “ultimately, the answer is going to come from the American people.” Trump has defended the broader claims in the video about election fraud but said he had not seen the offensive segment.
Criticism of Immigration Enforcement
The former president also criticised Trump’s immigration crackdown in Minnesota, describing the conduct of federal officers during the weeks-long operation as reminiscent of authoritarian regimes. The operation, which included Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, resulted in two fatal shootings and triggered nationwide protests.
“The rogue behaviour of agents of the federal government is deeply concerning and dangerous,” Obama said, noting that federal enforcement actions have historically been a feature of dictatorships.
He commended communities that resisted the operations peacefully, calling their sustained efforts in organizing, documenting, and protesting in subzero conditions “heroic” and a source of hope for the country.
Political Implications
The aggressive raids in Minnesota have heightened tensions over federal immigration policy, with Democrats opposing new funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) until reforms are implemented in ICE operations.
The standoff led to a partial government shutdown affecting the agency, as lawmakers debated the allocation of funds and oversight measures.
Obama’s remarks highlight concerns over the tone of political discourse and federal enforcement actions, while reinforcing the importance of citizen activism and accountability in upholding democratic norms.
What you should know
Barack Obama criticised the decline of decorum in US politics, responding to a Trump social media post that depicted him and Michelle Obama as monkeys.
He also condemned federal immigration raids in Minnesota, describing the conduct of ICE agents as “authoritarian” and praising citizen resistance.
Obama warned such actions could harm Trump’s Republican Party in the midterms and emphasised the role of peaceful, organised activism in defending democratic values.
