Barack Obama

Read the latest post-presidency news about President Barack Obama on Newser.com

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Michelle Obama: I'm 'Glad' I Never Had a Son

Former first lady jokes that a male child 'would've been a Barack Obama'

(Newser) - Whether they wanted boys, girls, or a combination when they first started family planning, most parents would say they're happy for the kids they ended up getting. Michelle Obama just took that a step further, noting that not only is she grateful to be a mom to Malia, 26,...

Obama, Trump Butt Heads With Dueling Posts
Obama Breaks His Silence
Jun 16, 2025 8:08 AM CDT

Obama Breaks His Silence

Former president urges Americans to reject framing of immigrants as 'enemies'

(Newser) - Days after a public plea for him to speak up from the comfort of "semi-retirement," former President Obama has heeded the call. The 44th president on Sunday offered up a social media post , which stands in stark contrast to a rant from President Trump that appeared hours later...

Pleading for Obama to Save You Is Weak
Stop Waiting
for Obama
to Save You
OPINION
Jun 13, 2025 11:00 AM CDT

Stop Waiting for Obama to Save You

NYT columnist says Trump foes who do so are misguided and weak

(Newser) - Earlier this week, Atlantic columnist Mark Leibovich wrote a buzzy piece critical of Barack Obama , suggesting the former president had succumbed to the "fierce lethargy of semi-retirement" as the world burned. "Where Is Barack Obama?" asked the headline of the piece. In response, New York Times columnist Tressie...

Essayist's Plea: Speak Up, Obama


Essayist's Plea:
Speak Up,
Obama
OPINION
Jun 10, 2025 6:58 AM CDT

Essayist's Plea: Speak Up, Obama

Mark Leibovich complains about former president's 'fierce lethargy of semi-retirement'

(Newser) - The headline of the essay by Mark Leibovich in the Atlantic poses a simple if loaded question: "Where is Barack Obama?" And Leibovich provides a somewhat scathing answer:
  • "No matter how brazen [President] Trump becomes, the most effective communicator in the Democratic Party continues to opt for minimal
...

Michelle Obama Weighs In on Malia Dropping 'Obama'

'She's trying to make her way,' former first lady says of oldest daughter's name change for work

(Newser) - When Malia Obama wrote and directed a short film that appeared at Sundance last year, her name in the credits appeared simply as "Malia Ann." Dad Barack Obama seemed OK with that, and now, Michelle Obama is offering her thoughts on her oldest daughter's choice to ditch...

As Shipments Decline, UPS Cuts 20K Jobs

Job cuts, building closures expected to save $3.5B

(Newser) - The United Parcel Service is preparing for an uncertain future. The company announced Tuesday that it will cut 20,000 positions and close 73 leased or owned buildings this year to save costs as President Trump's tariffs slow trade. This comes after UPS cut 12,000 jobs and closed...

Missing Trump Inauguration Was Best, Michelle Obama Says

Therapy is helping her make different decisions, former first lady confides

(Newser) - After facing criticism for not attending President Trump's inauguration in January, which her husband attended alone, Michelle Obama has said she made the decision that was best for her. The former first lady discussed her absence on an episode of her podcast with her brother Craig Robinson, which was...

Harvard's Resistance to Trump Could Mark a 'Turning Point'

Former President Obama blasts 'unlawful and ham-handed attempt to stifle academic freedom'

(Newser) - Academics, alumni, Democratic lawmakers, and former President Obama are backing Harvard's costly decision to resist what it says is "direct governmental regulation" of intellectual conditions at the university. Obama, a graduate of Harvard Law School, blasted the Trump administration's "unlawful and ham-handed attempt to stifle academic...

Shooting Painting Bumps Obama Portrait at White House

Artwork appears to be based on an AP photo

(Newser) - A painting of President Trump raising his fist to the crowd after the shooting at a Pennsylvania campaign rally has gone up in a prime spot at the White House. The image apparently bumped the portrait of President Obama, the Hill reports, that was at the bottom of the Grand...

Michelle Obama Addresses Those Divorce Rumors

She says when women make decisions for themselves, sometimes people assume the worst

(Newser) - Speculation has been swirling that there may be trouble in paradise for Barack and Michelle Obama, and the former first lady addressed the rumors in a podcast interview released Tuesday. As reported by outlets including NBC , CNN , People , and Fox , she told Sophia Bush on the Work in Progress podcast...

A Notable Name Is Skipping Trump's Inauguration

Former first lady Michelle Obama will not be in attendance

(Newser) - Former first lady Michelle Obama will sit out a second January event rife with Washington's current and former political elite: The joint office of Obama and former President Obama confirmed that she won't attend the inauguration of President-elect Trump on Monday, putting it succinctly, per the AP :
  • The
...

Notable Absence at Carter Funeral: Michelle Obama

Her office doesn't provide a reason; she would have been seated next to Donald Trump

(Newser) - The five living presidents were there , as were their wives—almost. One notable absence from Thursday's state funeral for Jimmy Carter was Michelle Obama. A statement from her office acknowledged as much without providing a reason, reports USA Today :
  • "Former First Lady Michelle Obama is not in attendance
...

Carter Funeral Brings a Rarity: 5 Living Presidents

All are present in DC

(Newser) - Jimmy Carter's state funeral is underway in DC on Thursday, and the ceremony has resulted in a rarity: the assemblage of five living presidents. President Biden will be delivering the eulogy, and in attendance are George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump. The New York Times ...

Obama-Romney Was the End of an Era
Obama-Romney
Was the End of an Era
OPINION
Dec 25, 2024 1:30 PM CST

Obama-Romney Was the End of an Era

Politics hasn't been the same since then, writes Nate Cohn in the New York Times

(Newser) - Barack Obama's victory over Mitt Romney in 2012 seemed at the time to herald a "new era" in American politics, one of Democratic dominance fueled by "young, secular and nonwhite voters," writes Nate Cohn in a New York Times analysis. But the emergence of Donald Trump...

Malia Obama Drops Last Name for Film, Her Dad Reacts

Former first daughter, 26, goes by 'Malia Ann' for her directorial film debut

(Newser) - On IMDb, a description for the short film The Heart lists the movie's director as Malia Obama, daughter of the 44th US president. But in the credits of the film itself, the 26-year-old decided to appear simply as "Malia Ann"—a nugget addressed by her famous dad...

The Stars Come Out for Harris in Georgia

Barack Obama, Tyler Perry, Bruce Springsteen among those to bash Trump at Thursday rally

(Newser) - Bruce Springsteen entertained the crowd, then former President Obama fired it up Thursday at a star-studded rally for Vice President Kamala Harris in a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia, marking the first time Harris and Obama's paths have crossed on the campaign trail. "This is a leader who has...

Eminem Rallies for Harris in Detroit

Rapper introduces Barack Obama

(Newser) - Detroit rapper Eminem stepped into the political arena Tuesday in his hometown, where he spoke briefly at a rally for Vice President Kamala Harris ' presidential campaign before welcoming former President Barack Obama to the stage, the AP reports. "As most of you know, the city of Detroit and...

Obama Had Some Words for 'the Brothers'

He addresses what he sees as hesitancy on the part of some Black men to support Harris

(Newser) - Former President Obama minced no words Thursday in Pittsburgh during an unannounced stop at a campaign field office for Vice President Kamala Harris hours before Obama appeared at one of Harris' rallies for the first time. Declaring his intention to "speak some truths" to voters, but especially Black male...

Trump Was Not a Fan of Obamas 'Getting Personal'

Former president reacts to their DNC speeches

(Newser) - Donald Trump, who recently said he believes he's " entitled to personal attacks " on Kamala Harris, apparently did not enjoy what he said were personal attacks on him at the Democratic National Convention. "Did you see Barack Hussein Obama last night taking little shots? He was taking...

At DNC, 'Hope Is Making a Comeback'
At DNC, 'Hope Is
Making a Comeback'
the rundown
Aug 21, 2024 6:26 AM CDT

At DNC, 'Hope Is Making a Comeback'

Obamas up the energy at Chicago's United Center

(Newser) - There was a hopeful, upbeat vibe at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Tuesday. With Vice President Kamala Harris and running mate Tim Walz rallying in Milwaukee, "Democrats turned to their most charismatic leaders," per the New York Times . Former President Obama and former first lady Michelle...

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