Former U.S. President Barack Obama has publicly addressed a controversial video shared by Donald Trump, which portrayed Obama and his wife Michelle in a derogatory manner. In his comments, Obama expressed his dismay over what he perceives as a loss of decorum and respect in political and public discourse in the United States. He highlighted that such incidents reflect a broader issue of declining standards in communication among political figures.

The video, which was posted on Trump's social media platform Truth Social, showed the faces of the Obamas superimposed on the bodies of monkeys. This post ignited a significant backlash, including criticism from within Trump's own party and political opponents. Despite the uproar, the White House downplayed the situation, attributing the post's existence to an unnamed staffer, which further fueled discussions about accountability and responsible communication in politics.

During an appearance on a podcast hosted by political analyst Brian Tyler Cohen, Obama refrained from mentioning Trump directly but instead focused on the implications of such hostile rhetoric in politics. He lamented the apparent normalization of disrespectful behavior among leaders, urging for a re-evaluation of the way public figures conduct themselves to foster a more respectful political environment.