In an opinion piece by Maureen Dowd published in The New York Times, she explores what she terms the 'Obama Complex' that dominates Donald Trump's mindset and behavior. Dowd describes Trump's recent actions, including sharing a racially charged video of Barack and Michelle Obama, as unprecedented in the history of the presidency, illustrating a concerning moral and political decline. She argues that Trump's obsession with his predecessor is not merely a passing mistake but a calculated strategy that taps into a long history of questioning Obama's legitimacy and employs white supremacist rhetoric aimed at energizing the radical right's base.

Dowd criticizes Trump's actions starkly, suggesting they are a clear extension of his attempts to divide the American public along racial lines. This behavior not only reflects a personal fixation but also exacerbates political polarization and fosters an environment where hate and division thrive. By invoking such imagery and rhetoric, Trump explicitly appeals to extremist elements within his party, further entrenching societal fractures in the face of ongoing national challenges.

The author further reproaches the White House's response to the backlash against Trump's video sharing, which was dismissed as 'fake outrage.' Dowd highlights that the American public's concern is genuine, reflecting a broader anxiety over the growing normalization of hate within political discourse. The piece ultimately raises alarm over the implications of Trump's actions for America's future, suggesting a worrying trend in the erosion of democratic norms and values as they become subordinated to personal grievances.