A prominent liberal media columnist is facing backlash after using a provocative phrase to describe President Donald Trump amid renewed controversy over a video briefly shared on social media.
New York Times opinion writer Maureen Dowd claimed in a weekend column that President Donald Trump suffers from what she labeled “Obama Derangement Syndrome,” following criticism of a video that appeared Friday on Trump’s Truth Social account before being removed.
According to Dowd, the video contained a mix of internet memes and disputed claims related to the 2020 presidential election. Media outlets and Democratic lawmakers quickly condemned a short segment of the clip they described as offensive, sparking another round of national outrage.
Dowd argued that the incident was emblematic of what she views as a pattern in Trump’s political behavior, writing that the reaction was “both shocking and predictable.” She suggested the White House acted only after public criticism intensified.
The columnist also dismissed early explanations from administration officials, who said the post was shared in error by a staff member. Dowd asserted that Trump bears responsibility for content shared on his platform, pointing to past remarks in which he acknowledged personally reposting material online.
The video reportedly included animated imagery featuring political figures alongside music from The Lion King, while repeating Trump’s long-standing concerns about irregularities in the 2020 election—concerns that continue to resonate with millions of American voters.
Dowd further cited past reporting from The New York Times, claiming Trump has a history of sharp rhetoric toward political opponents. She criticized the administration’s response to the controversy, calling it inadequate.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt pushed back forcefully, describing the clip as a widely shared internet meme and accusing the press of engaging in manufactured outrage. She urged reporters to focus on issues impacting everyday Americans, including inflation, border security, crime, and the economy.
Dowd rejected that explanation and used her column to escalate her criticism, also referencing remarks Trump made at the National Prayer Breakfast, where he again questioned the fairness of the 2020 election and spoke candidly about his motivation to win.
Reaction to the video extended beyond party lines. Senator Tim Scott reportedly contacted Trump to urge the video’s removal, calling it inappropriate. Trump later confirmed the conversation, praised Scott, and said he condemned the offensive portion of the clip, though he did not issue a formal apology.
The president explained that he viewed only part of the video before it was shared and said staff failed to properly review the full content. A White House official later described the incident as an internal posting error.
Democrats, meanwhile, seized on the controversy. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called on Republican leaders to publicly denounce Trump, issuing a sharply worded statement on social media.
Supporters of the president argue the episode reflects a familiar pattern: legacy media figures amplifying controversy while downplaying issues many voters see as more pressing. They contend that the outrage underscores the ongoing divide between establishment media narratives and a political movement that continues to challenge Washington’s status quo.