<h3 data-start="201" data-end="252"><strong data-start="205" data-end="252">Trump&rsquo;s AI Video Triggers Fresh Controversy</strong></h3>
<p data-start="254" data-end="690">US President Donald Trump has once again found himself at the centre of controversy after an AI-generated animation shared from his social media account depicted former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes. Although the video was later deleted, its impact proved immediate and far-reaching, triggering condemnation, ridicule and a fresh debate over the use of artificial intelligence in political attacks.</p>
<p data-start="692" data-end="1092">The clip was uploaded late at night and formed part of a longer video pushing discredited claims about the 2020 US presidential election. Towards the end, the imagery abruptly shifted, showing the Obamas&rsquo; faces superimposed on apes, accompanied by the song <em data-start="949" data-end="974">The Lion Sleeps Tonight</em>. The sudden transition sparked widespread anger, with critics calling it racially offensive and deeply irresponsible.</p>
<h3 data-start="1099" data-end="1151"><strong data-start="1103" data-end="1151">Trump Denies Responsibility, Refuses Apology</strong></h3>
<p data-start="1153" data-end="1431">Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One the following evening, Trump claimed he had not watched the entire video before it was shared.<br data-start="1290" data-end="1293">&ldquo;I looked at the first part, and it was really about voter fraud,&rdquo; he said, adding that he had not seen the imagery that caused offence.</p>
<p data-start="1433" data-end="1620">Asked whether he would apologise, Trump replied bluntly: &ldquo;No, I didn&rsquo;t make a mistake.&rdquo; He maintained that while he condemned racism, he had not personally approved the offensive segment.</p>
<p data-start="1622" data-end="1746">The White House later suggested the post was uploaded in error by a staff member, a claim that did little to stem criticism.</p>
<h3 data-start="1753" data-end="1805"><strong data-start="1757" data-end="1805">Political Fallout and Rare Republican Rebuke</strong></h3>
<p data-start="1807" data-end="2093">The backlash was swift and crossed party lines. Even some of Trump&rsquo;s political allies expressed alarm.<br data-start="1909" data-end="1912">South Carolina Senator Tim Scott said he was &ldquo;praying it was fake&rdquo; and described the video as &ldquo;the most racist thing&rdquo; he had seen from the White House, urging its immediate removal.</p>
<p data-start="2095" data-end="2278">Social media users also turned the episode against Trump, flooding platforms with satire and memes that critics said had &ldquo;boomeranged&rdquo; on the President, undermining his own messaging.</p>
<h3 data-start="2285" data-end="2320"><strong data-start="2289" data-end="2320">Pattern of Attacks on Obama</strong></h3>
<p data-start="2322" data-end="2692">This is not the first time Trump has targeted Barack Obama. He previously amplified false claims questioning Obama&rsquo;s citizenship and, more recently, circulated an AI-generated video portraying federal agents arresting the former president. Critics argue the latest episode reflects a troubling pattern of racialised political attacks, now amplified by emerging AI tools.</p>
<h3 data-start="2699" data-end="2742"><strong data-start="2703" data-end="2742">Debate Over AI and Political Ethics</strong></h3>
<p data-start="2744" data-end="3021">The incident has renewed calls for stricter norms around the use of artificial intelligence in political communication. Civil rights advocates warn that AI-driven content can revive racist tropes with unprecedented speed and reach, posing serious risks to democratic discourse.</p>
<p data-start="3023" data-end="3121">As the video continues to circulate despite its deletion, the controversy shows no sign of fading.</p>

US President Donald Trump file photo (courtesy: social media)

Deleted AI clip depicting Obamas as apes draws outrage, trolling and sharp criticism

Trump AI Post Targeting Obamas Sparks Backlash

Deleted AI clip depicting Obamas as apes draws outrage, trolling and sharp criticism

February 7, 2026 | 15:02 IST