Former President Donald Trump has come under fire after posting an AI-generated video depicting Barack Obama being arrested by FBI agents — a move critics are calling bizarre and politically provocative.
The video, shared on Trump’s Truth Social platform on July 20, shows a digitally altered version of former President Obama being taken into custody in the Oval Office. The clip begins with various U.S. leaders, including Obama and President Joe Biden, stating that “no one is above the law,” before cutting to a dramatic scene where Obama appears confused as FBI agents storm into the White House and arrest him. The AI animation ends with Obama pacing inside a jail cell while the Village People’s “YMCA” plays in the background.
The post appears to be a response to a recent interview with Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who accused Obama of orchestrating a “years-long coup” to prevent Trump from taking office after the 2016 election. Gabbard, speaking on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures, claimed newly declassified documents from July 18 reveal that Obama directed a politically motivated operation to link Trump to Russian election interference.
“This is not a Democrat or Republican issue,” Gabbard said. “This should concern every American because it speaks directly to the integrity of our democratic institutions.”
Trump followed up Gabbard’s comments by reposting several segments from her interview, including statements calling the former president’s alleged actions “treasonous.” However, the AI video went much further — and it immediately triggered strong reactions across the political spectrum.
Trump just posted a video of Barack Obama being arrested,” wrote one user on X (formerly Twitter). “This is not leadership — it’s a distraction from the Epstein files.”
Another wrote, “Trump posting an AI video of Obama getting arrested in the Oval Office while ‘YMCA’ plays in the background is completely unhinged.”
The controversy comes as Trump faces renewed scrutiny over his past association with Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender whose ties to powerful figures have fueled widespread public interest. Despite promising transparency, the Department of Justice recently stated that no “Epstein client list” exists, raising more questions than answers. Critics claim Trump’s use of sensational posts and AI content is an effort to distract from these ongoing concerns.
“President Trump just posted a video of Barack Obama getting arrested. Shame on you, Trump. You’re not just part of the circus — you are the main act,” one critic posted.
Gabbard has since announced she plans to refer several Obama-era officials for possible prosecution over their alleged role in the so-called “Russia hoax.”
Meanwhile, many political observers warn that using AI-generated content for political gain sets a dangerous precedent. As the 2026 election cycle ramps up, the blending of artificial content with real-world political narratives may further erode public trust and deepen partisan divides.
