Obama Laments Lost Decorum in American Politics

Former president addresses racist video posted by Trump in first public comments since incident.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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In a recent podcast interview, former President Barack Obama indirectly addressed a racist video posted by President Donald Trump that depicted Obama and his wife, Michelle, as apes. Obama lamented the 'devolution of the discourse' in American politics and the lack of 'decorum and a sense of propriety and respect for the office' among some current officials.

Why it matters

Obama's comments highlight the ongoing erosion of political norms and civility in the US, with the former president expressing concern over the inflammatory rhetoric and behavior exhibited by some elected leaders. The incident also underscores the divisive and racially-charged nature of the current political climate.

The details

In the interview, Obama did not directly address the specific video posted by Trump, which was later deleted from his Truth Social account after sparking bipartisan outrage. However, Obama stressed that he believed most Americans found such content 'deeply troubling.' The former president also praised the 'heroic, sustained behavior' of ordinary citizens in Minneapolis who organized to protect immigrants in the face of aggressive federal immigration enforcement tactics under the Trump administration.

  • The racist video was posted by Trump earlier this month.
  • Obama's podcast interview was published on Saturday, February 16, 2026.

The players

Barack Obama

The 44th President of the United States, who served from 2009 to 2017.

Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States, who served from 2017 to 2021.

Michelle Obama

The wife of former President Barack Obama, who served as the First Lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Barack Obama, Former President of the United States (No Lie* podcast)

“I think it's important to recognize that the majority of the American people find this behavior deeply troubling. It is true that it gets attention. It's true that it's a distraction. 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.”

— Barack Obama, Former President of the United States (No Lie* podcast)

What’s next

The Biden administration has indicated it will review the use of federal agents in local law enforcement matters, particularly in cases where their presence has led to increased tensions and violence.

The takeaway

Obama's comments underscore the growing concern among many Americans about the erosion of civility and respect for democratic institutions in the country's political discourse. As the US continues to grapple with deep partisan divisions, the former president's call for a return to 'decency, courtesy, and kindness' resonates as a reminder of the values that have historically underpinned the nation's democratic system.