• Barack Obama criticized Donald Trump's racist post depicting him and Michelle as monkeys.
• Obama describes current political discourse as a "clown show" lacking decorum.
• The video, shared on February 5, was condemned across the political spectrum.

Former US President Barack Obama has publicly condemned a racist video shared by Donald Trump that depicted him and first lady Michelle Obama as monkeys. This reaction marks Obama's first commentary on the post, which sparked widespread outrage across the political spectrum. He described the current state of political discourse in America as a "clown show," reflecting a degradation of decorum, according to Channel News Asia and South China Morning Post.

In an interview with Brian Tyler Cohen, Obama articulated his concerns, stating that "the majority of Americans find this behavior deeply troubling." He emphasized that what used to be considered inappropriate in political discourse has now become common, lamenting a lack of shame among political figures, which he believes undermines respect for the office. This sentiment was echoed in reports from Al Jazeera and Le Monde.

Obama's comments were prompted by the video, which Trump posted on February 5, during Black History Month, that depicted the Obamas with the faces of monkeys. While White House officials initially dismissed the backlash as "fake outrage," they later removed the video and attributed it to a staff error, as reported by Africa News and NPR.

Additionally, Obama addressed Trump's immigration policies, particularly in Minnesota, where federal agents have faced criticism for their aggressive tactics. He described ICE's actions as reminiscent of "authoritarian countries," highlighting concerns over civil rights violations. His call for action reflects a broader fear that America's core values are being challenged under current policies, a viewpoint reiterated by multiple news sources.Channel News Asia, South China Morning Post, Al Jazeera, Le Monde, Africa News, and NPR.