Obama Laments Lost Decorum in US Politics

Former president addresses racist video posted by Trump, calls for return to civility

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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In a podcast interview, former President Barack Obama indirectly addressed a racist video posted by President Donald Trump, which depicted Obama and his wife Michelle as apes. Obama lamented the 'devolution of the discourse' in American politics, saying there is a 'clown show' happening on social media and TV, with a loss of 'decorum and a sense of propriety and respect for the office'.

Why it matters

Obama's comments highlight the ongoing erosion of political norms and civility in the US, as exemplified by Trump's willingness to post inflammatory and racist content. This reflects a broader trend of increasing polarization and the normalization of offensive rhetoric in the public discourse.

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 bipartisan outrage. However, Obama stressed that he believed most Americans found such content 'deeply troubling.' He also spoke about the 'rogue behavior' of federal immigration agents deployed to Minneapolis, applauding the 'heroic, sustained behavior' of local residents who protested in subzero weather to protect immigrants.

  • The podcast interview was published on February 16, 2026.
  • The racist video was posted by Trump earlier in February 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 First Lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017.

Brian Tyler Cohen

A YouTuber and podcast host who interviewed Barack Obama.

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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 (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 (No Lie* podcast)

What’s next

The Biden administration has indicated it will review the use of federal agents in local law enforcement situations, in response to concerns raised by Obama and others about the 'rogue behavior' of immigration agents in Minneapolis.

The takeaway

Obama's comments underscore the deep divisions and erosion of political norms in the US, as exemplified by Trump's willingness to post inflammatory and racist content. However, Obama also expressed hope that most Americans still believe in 'decency, courtesy, and kindness,' suggesting a path forward to restore civility in public discourse.