In early February, former President Donald Trump shared an artificial intelligence-generated video that depicted Barack and Michelle Obama as apes, prompting widespread condemnation from both Democrats and Republicans. The White House attributed the video's release to a staff member and the video was eventually taken down. The incident highlights the toxic nature of current political discourse and the use of social media to propagate harmful stereotypes and narratives.

In a subsequent podcast, Barack Obama was asked to comment on the state of American discourse by host Brian Tyler Cohen, who highlighted the controversial video. Obama emphasized that a majority of the American public finds such behavior deeply troubling, suggesting a disconnect between public sentiment and the actions of certain political figures. His remarks drew attention to the broader issues of decency and accountability within political discussions.

Obama characterized the phenomenon as a "clownshow" occurring on social media and television, indicating a deterioration of standards that once compelled political leaders to uphold some level of decency. He expressed concern over the apparent absence of shame among those involved, pointing to a worrying trend where extreme behavior is normalized within political realms, ultimately affecting how society engages with significant social issues.