Obamas Ignore Trump Ape Post in First Comments Since Backlash

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Newsweek

Published Feb 07, 2026 at 06:27 AM EST updated Feb 07, 2026 at 07:22 AM EST


Barack and Michelle Obama have issued their first public statements since President Donald Trump faced intense backlash for posting a video that depicted the former Democratic president and his wife as apes—but the couple made no mention of the controversy. Newsweek has contacted the White House and the Obama Foundation via email for comment.

Why It Matters

The Obamas’ comments came just hours after Trump deleted the controversial AI-generated ape clip from his Truth Social account before later defending the post without offering an apology.

What To Know

On Friday evening, the Obamas shared social media posts which made no reference—direct or indirect—to Trump, the video, or the fallout surrounding it.

Instead, they focused entirely on cheering on U.S. athletes competing at the Winter Olympics and Paralympics.

Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/obamas-ignore-trump-ape-post-in-first-comments-since-backlash-11482555

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Link to tweet

Barack Obama
·
Feb 6, 2026
@BarackObama
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To all the athletes representing @TeamUSA: I'm so proud of you. Your talent and perseverance have brought you to this moment, and Michelle and I will be joining Americans from across the country cheering you on.
Ahmed Hussein
@ahmadd_hussein_
·
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Instead of getting dragged into Trump’s provocation, Obama chose dignity over distraction. By posting this message uplifting Team USA, Obama redirected the moment toward unity and pride. In doing so, Obama didn’t just ignore Trump, he reminded people what leadership is about.

Link to tweet

Michelle Obama
@MichelleObama
·
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Good luck to all the extraordinary athletes representing @TeamUSA at the Winter Olympics and Paralympics! It’s been so inspiring to follow your journeys to the world stage, and we'll be cheering you on as you compete in Italy.
7:22 PM · Feb 6, 2026

[gab13by13]

1. Anyone ask rabid Krasnov supporter Tim Scott

if that's how Krasnov feels about him?

[BumRushDaShow]

5. Scott actually woke up out of his "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil", slumber and called it out

Sen. Tim Scott calls Trump post about Obamas ‘the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House’

[Montauk6]

7. "MISSA TRUMP, H-H-HE A GOOD MAYN..."

[MLWR]

2. Good. The racist bag of excrement should be ignored; he isn't worth the effort of a response.

[greatauntoftriplets]

3. Class acts, all the way.

I miss having them in the White House. President Obama's farewell speech was so prescient, one for the ages.

[lostnfound]

4. Exercising their freedom to remain true to their values of unselfishness, grace, positivity ❤️

We can all learn from that.

[tavernier]

6. Wouldn't have expected any less.

So so, so nice to see and hear a president with dignity and grace. How very much we have missed that.

[mdbl]

8. The Obamas have too much class to stoop dump's level

I on the other hand do not and think Donald Dump is the weirdest, dumbest, most racist asshole ever to inhabit our planet.

[AllaN01Bear]

9. "" thank you.

[orangecrush]

10. Pure ciass

[Joinfortmill]

11. As they say, "They didn't dignify it with a response". I love them both. Boy, if only we had them now.

[twodogsbarking]

12. The Obamas are on the high road. Trump is in the sewer drain. Drain the sewer.