Trump in Obama racist video row

Dignified Obama hits out at US politics in wake of Trump's ape video of former President & wife

- BY CHRISTOPHER BUCKTIN US Editor

BARACK Obama slammed the erosion in US political standards after a video depicting him and his wife Michelle as apes was posted on Donald Trump's social media site.

Speaking for the first time since the racist image appeared just over a week ago, sparking a huge backlash, the former US President described such posts as "a clown show that's happening on social media and on television".

He added: "There doesn't seem to be any shame about this among people who used to feel like you had to have some sort of decorum and a sense of propriety and respect for the office, right?

"That's been lost."