Former president Barack Obama had a perfect response to the video posted to Donald Trump‘s social media account, which portrayed him and Michelle Obama as apes, which many people claimed was “racist.”
During a Feb. 14 interview with podcaster Brian Tyler Cohen, Obama was asked about the social media post, which was removed after Democrats and Republicans condemned it.
“Well, first of all, I think it’s important to recognize that the majority of the American people find this behavior deeply troubling,” Obama said.
The original minute-long video was shared on Trump’s Truth Social platform on Feb. 5, which mainly featured debunked claims about the 2020 election. In a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment, the video abruptly depicted the Obamas’ faces on the bodies of animated apes, with the song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” playing in the background.
Almost as shocking as the video itself was the scramble by the Trump administration to clean it up. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt initially downplayed the criticism as “fake outrage” and claimed the animation was an internet meme video that depicted Trump as the king of the jungle and Democrats as characters from Disney’s The Lion King.
Then, a White House official claimed a “staffer erroneously made the post.” A few hours later, the president asserted that he “didn’t make a mistake” posting the video because he hadn’t seen the entire video before he handed it over for posting. Trump also told reporters on Feb. 12 that the administration took no disciplinary action against the staffer who allegedly posted the video.
When ABC News‘ Fritz Farrow asked if he condemned the “racist” part of the video, Trump said, “Of course I do.” When asked if he had a message for people offended, the president said, “Well, I have no message. I didn’t know about it, so I mean, it went up. I really have no message.”
It’s safe to say the damage was done. The back-and-forth, shifting of blame, admission of guilt, and many interpretations of the video segment are all over the internet. So, now everyone was eagerly awaiting a response from the ever-poised Obamas to the absurd video — and we finally have it.
“It is true that it gets attention. It’s true that it’s a distraction,” Obama said in the interview. “But, as I’m traveling around the country, as you’re traveling around the country, you meet people — they still believe in decency, courtesy, kindness.”
Obama continued, “And there’s this sort of clown show that’s happening in social media and on television, and what is true is that there doesn’t seem to be any shame about this among people who used to feel like you had to have some sort of decorum and a sense of propriety, and respect for the office, right? So, that’s been lost.”
“But the reason I point out that I don’t think the majority of the American people approve of this is because, ultimately, the answer is going to come from the American people,” he said.
In response to Obama’s interview, commenters have praised his sense of class and respect. “Even when pushed to respond, he barely touches on it. The Obama’s took it with grace and continued succeeding above most of their opposition,” one person wrote.
Another person said, “The difference between the two men in class, decency, and intelligence are miles apart.”
This person echoed the same sentiment, calling the former president a “Class act. Money, fame and position truly can’t buy class.”
“Notice how he didn’t throw a full caps tantrum, threaten to sue, use insults, or threaten anyone’s careers with this statement?” someone else wrote.
And finally, someone said, “Such a classy individual. Taking the high road like he always does as a front facing representative of the USA. But this isnt what he REALLY wants to say. Quite frankly, he deserves to say what he REALLY wants to say. And we deserve to hear what he REALLY wants to say. REALLY.”
You can watch the full interview with Barack Obama here.
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