President Donald Trump stirred major controversy Sunday by posting an AI-generated video of Barack Obama getting arrested, just days after Tulsi Gabbard accused the Obama administration of leading a “years-long coup.” Here’s what’s going on and why it matters.
In a move that sent political shockwaves across social media, President Donald Trump posted an AI-generated video of Barack Obama being arrested, handcuffed by FBI agents in the Oval Office, and later shown in a prison jumpsuit. The video, soundtracked by the Village People’s “YMCA,” was shared on Truth Social on Sunday and quickly went viral.
The 45-second clip features real and AI-altered footage. It begins with Obama saying, “No one, especially the president, is above the law”—followed by similar remarks from other Democratic leaders like Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi. Then, it cuts to a fictionalized scene where Obama is handcuffed while Trump, grinning, watches. The entire sequence is digitally created, but the message is unmistakable—and deeply provocative.
This visual stunt follows bombshell accusations made by Tulsi Gabbard, the current Director of National Intelligence. On Fox News Sunday Morning Futures, Gabbard claimed that Obama and his top national security officials “manufactured” intelligence to fuel the Russia collusion narrative in 2016, effectively staging a “coup” to block Trump’s presidency.
Key Takeaways:
- AI-generated clip: Trump shared an edited video depicting Obama’s fake arrest.
- Gabbard’s allegations: She accuses Obama of directing a years-long coup using false intelligence.
- Political fallout: Critics say Trump is deflecting from Epstein-related backlash.
- Legal immunity: Social users pointed out SCOTUS’ ruling could protect Obama from prosecution.
- Democratic response: Senator Mark Warner dismissed the claims as baseless political theatre.
President Trump is now posting Obama arrest videos and mugshots.
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) July 21, 2025
The message is clear: No one is above the law and accountability is coming. pic.twitter.com/iY9eI2WNOO
A Political Bombshell—or a Deflection Strategy?
The video comes at a time when Trump is under renewed scrutiny, particularly from his own supporters, over his administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. Just two weeks ago, Trump’s team claimed there was “no Epstein client list,” enraging those seeking accountability for the disgraced financier’s crimes.
Gabbard’s Friday announcement—referring Obama-era officials, including James Comey and James Clapper, to the DOJ—provided a timely narrative pivot. Trump responded by referencing Gabbard’s claims 17 times over the weekend, using them to shift attention away from the Epstein controversy and toward alleged corruption by his predecessor.
Her statement struck a nerve:
“The effect of what President Obama and his team did was to undermine our democratic republic… a years-long coup against President Trump, who was duly elected by the American people,” Gabbard said.
Mixed Reactions Across the Political Spectrum
The AI video drew a mix of celebration, disbelief, and condemnation.
- Pro-Trump influencers like Gunther Eagleman urged immediate legal action: “Don’t give Obama a chance to flee to Kenya… revoke his passport ASAP!”
- Conservative journalist Nick Sortor added: “MAKE THIS A REALITY, @AGPamBondi!”
- On the other side, Democratic voices like Sen. Mark Warner slammed Gabbard’s claims as politically motivated and unsubstantiated.
“It’s one more example of cooking the books,” Warner said. “DNI Gabbard is weaponizing her role.”
Political commentator Majid Padellan weighed in on X:
“SCOTUS made it impossible to arrest Obama when they handed Trump immunity. This video is all bark, no bite.”
What Comes Next?
Gabbard has pledged to hand over over 100 documents to the DOJ and FBI for review. According to her, they detail how intelligence was manipulated before the 2016 election to frame Trump and favor Hillary Clinton.
She emphasized that the responsibility now lies with Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel to move forward with prosecutions:
“The facts are already out. Now it’s time to act.”
While the legal implications remain speculative, one thing is clear: Trump’s video isn’t just viral content—it’s a calculated political play. Whether it backfires or boosts him depends on how the public and legal institutions respond in the coming weeks.