Trump posts a video with Barack and Michelle Obama depicted as monkeys: an unacceptable racist and dehumanizing gesture

Trump

A video shared on Truth by President Donald Trump has reignited a controversy that goes beyond bad taste. In the video, which focuses on the unfounded accusations of electoral fraud in 2020, an image generated with artificial intelligence appears for a few moments depicting Barack and Michelle Obama portrayed as monkeys. A quick frame, but enough to transform a “meme” into a dehumanizing act with a clear racist subtext. The soundtrack, “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”, accentuates an imagery that recalls offensive stereotypes, not political satire.

The reactions: bipartisan and international outrage

The sentences were not long in coming. California Governor Gavin Newsom called the gesture “disgusting“, inviting Republicans to take a stand. Ben Rhodes, former advisor to Barack Obama, spoke of a wound to the collective memory, contrasting the historical reputation of the Obamas with what, in his opinion, will remain as a stain. A clear reminder also came from Europe: racism and incitement to hatred have no place online just as they do not find it in real life.

The defense of the White House and the problem of normalization

Instead, a downplaying response came from Washington, calling the video an “internet meme” and accusing critics of “fake indignationBut it is precisely this normalization that causes concern. When a president relaunches content that ridicules and animalizes real people resulting in racism, the line between irony and hate speech is crossed. It is not the first time: in the past, Trump has shared AI clips showing Obama’s arrest or caricatures of other Democratic leaders.

Racism does not need long speeches: it can also pass through an image, especially if amplified by the institutional role of those who spread it. Reducing everything to a provocation is equivalent to ignoring the effect that similar content has on public debate, legitimizing dehumanizing language.

Political criticism is legitimate, satire too, but power cannot choose hatred as a means of action. There is a limit to defend: the dignity of people is not a meme and it is truly appalling that such a message comes from the president of the United States of America.

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Chris Rivers

Chris Rivers

With over 15 years of experience in journalism and a deep-seated passion for environmental sustainability, I lead the editorial team at Green Technology Investments. My background in environmental science fuels my commitment to crafting insightful and impactful content. When I'm not penning articles, you can find me exploring national parks or tending to my organic garden.