WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump on Sunday shared a manipulated image on his Truth Social platform depicting former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama standing beside an Air Force One aircraft that had been digitally altered with graffiti. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and representatives for the Obamas also did not immediately comment.
The altered image showed the Obamas waving before boarding a presidential aircraft covered with graffiti that included the phrases “Yes We Can,” Obama’s former campaign slogan, “Obama,” “BLM,” referring to Black Lives Matter, and Arabic text reading “alhamdulillah,” a phrase meaning “praise be to God” or “thank God.”
The post marked the latest in a series of manipulated images shared by Trump targeting Obama. According to The Associated Press, the president has repeatedly used his social media accounts to criticize the former president through altered images and other posts.
The latest post also arrives months after a separate image shared on Trump’s account in February portrayed Barack and Michelle Obama as primates in a jungle. That post appeared during the first week of Black History Month and was later removed after bipartisan criticism from civil rights organizations and Republican lawmakers. Trump did not apologize, while a staff member was later blamed for publishing the post.
Air Force One Remains a Politically Sensitive Symbol
The timing of Sunday’s post coincides with renewed attention surrounding Air Force One following Trump’s recent flight aboard a newly modified Boeing 747-800 aircraft valued at approximately $400 million and provided as a gift by Qatar.
The aircraft differs from previous presidential planes by featuring Trump’s preferred exterior design, replacing the traditional light blue color scheme with a navy-blue underside accented by red and gold stripes.
The manipulated image incorporated that aircraft into its political messaging, placing graffiti across the presidential plane as part of the digital alteration.
Series of Altered Images Target Political Figures
Sunday’s post followed another manipulated image Trump shared last month involving the future Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.
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In that earlier post, the building appeared to have a large garbage bag placed on its roof and was digitally surrounded by a deteriorated landscape. Trump accompanied the image with a written statement criticizing the library and has previously voiced objections to the project during public appearances.
Trump also reposted the library image twice on Truth Social.
Among Sunday’s additional social media activity was another image involving Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The manipulated picture appeared to show Meloni smiling while looking toward Trump beneath the words “RESTRAINING ORDER NEEDED.”
Posts Come Ahead of NATO Summit
The social media activity occurred after Trump delivered remarks Saturday evening during Independence Day events on the National Mall commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The president had no public events scheduled Sunday and spent the day at his golf club in Virginia. He is expected to depart Monday for Turkey to participate in a summit with NATO allies.
The image involving Meloni comes after recent disagreements between the two leaders over Trump’s public account of their interactions during the Group of Seven summit.
Trump had claimed Meloni repeatedly requested photographs with him. Meloni rejected that characterization as “completely fabricated,” while Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani subsequently canceled a planned visit to Washington, according to AP reporting.
The White House had not issued additional comment on Sunday’s posts before publication.
Article Topics: Donald Trump | Barack Obama | Truth Social | Air Force One | Political Communication | NATO Summit | Social Media
This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.
