Donald Trump Stands by Controversial Video of the Obamas Amid Backlash

Donald Trump defended a controversial video he shared on Truth Social, depicting Barack and Michelle Obama in an altered manner. The video, posted on February 6, included debunked claims about the 2020 election.

Content and Criticism

The video used AI to place the Obamas' faces on animated animal bodies with the song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" playing. It faced widespread criticism, including from California governor Gavin Newsom, who called for Republican condemnation.

Responses from Public Figures

Former Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes commented that history would favorably remember the Obamas despite such portrayals. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed the outrage as exaggerated.

Trump's Defense

During a February 12 press conference, Trump claimed the video's focus was on election integrity and labeled it a "strong piece." He mentioned that similar content had circulated online before his post and called its inclusion an error.

The incident sparked discussions on political expression boundaries, AI-generated imagery use, and public figures' responsibilities in sharing viral content.