Former President Barack Obama has issued a scathing rebuke of the state of political discourse under the Trump administration, condemning the use of racist imagery and inflammatory rhetoric that he says has become the norm.
In a wide-ranging interview with political commentator Brian Tyler Cohen, Obama pulled no punches in addressing the recent controversy over a video shared on President Donald Trump's Truth Social platform, which depicted Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes.
A 'Clown Show' of Racism and Indecency
What this really means is that the Trump era has ushered in a new low for political discourse, where basic decorum and respect for institutions have been completely abandoned in the pursuit of cheap political points and viral outrage.
As Obama put it, "There doesn't seem to be any shame about this among people who used to feel like you had to have some sense of decorum and some sense of propriety and respect for the office. So that's been lost."
The bigger picture here is that the Trump administration has mainstreamed a brand of politics built on division, dishonesty, and disregard for democratic norms. Polls show a majority of Republican voters still believe the 2020 election was "stolen" from Trump, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
The Need to Restore Civility and Dignity
Obama made clear that he believes the American people, by and large, still value "decency, courtesy, [and] kindness" - qualities that have been sorely lacking in the Trump era. The task now is to find ways to restore a sense of civic unity and shared respect, even in the face of deep political divisions.
As President Biden said in his inaugural address, "We must end this uncivil war that pits red against blue, rural versus urban, conservative versus liberal. We can do this if we open our souls instead of hardening our hearts."
The path forward will not be easy, but Obama's words serve as a powerful reminder that the health of American democracy depends on our ability to find common ground and reject the politics of hatred and dehumanization.