Barack Obama in the Trump Era
5/11/202626 min
The contributing writer Peter Slevin met with Barack Obama at the new Obama Presidential Center, which opens next month, in Chicago, and asked him the question on a lot of Democrats’ minds: Where is he, and why isn’t he doing more to help the country in a moment of crisis? Slevin shares excerpts from his interview, during which Obama explains the limits of his role, and why he should no longer be the figurehead for his party. Slevin also speaks with David Remnick about why the famously optimistic President has lost some of his confidence in the American prospect. “I would be dishonest if I didn’t acknowledge that,” Obama admitted.
Further reading:
- “Barack Obama Considers His Role in the Age of Trump,” by Peter Slevin
- “Presidents’ Days: From Obama to Trump,” by David Remnick
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First 90 secondsEvan Osnos0:00
[piano music plays] If you're a fan of the Political Scene podcast from The New Yorker, I hope you'll join us for a live taping of the show at 92NY in Manhattan.
Speaker 10:09
We're gonna be talking about Donald Trump's falling approval numbers, the prospects of a comeback for the Democratic Party in the midterms.
David Remnick· Host0:18
And let's just say the potential threats to the integrity of the election that are coming from the president.
Evan Osnos0:24
I hope you'll join me, Evan Osnos, and my colleagues Susan Glasser and Jane Mayer on June 4th at 7:00 PM. Ticket information is at 92ny.org.
Speaker 30:35
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