Barack Obama isn’t holding back anymore. After years of silence, the former president just ripped into Donald Trump’s presidency, calling out what he described as “unimaginable” behavior that would have sparked outrage had it come from him or any of his predecessors.
Speaking to students at Hamilton College, Obama laid bare his frustrations, accusing Trump of gutting the federal government, targeting immigrants and protestors, and undermining the free press. “Imagine if I had done any of this,” he said, shaking his head. “Imagine I had pulled Fox News’ credentials just because I didn’t like the coverage.”
Obama’s pointed remarks came as he reflected on the political climate following Kamala Harris’ loss to Trump in the 2024 election — a campaign Obama had backed her in. Though he’s been largely quiet in the public eye, he made it clear that he’s been watching closely.
The former president highlighted actions by Trump that, he argued, would have caused political meltdown if done by anyone else. From barring the Associated Press over word choice to threatening legal firms representing dissenters, Obama framed the current administration as a threat not just to political norms — but to basic American freedoms.
“I’m more deeply concerned with a federal government that threatens universities if they don’t give up students who are exercising their right to free speech,” he added, his voice serious. “That’s not just politics. That’s a direct hit to our democracy.”
Obama also warned Americans not to dismiss Trump’s actions as harmless antics. “Just because he acts goofy,” he said, “doesn’t mean his presidency won’t be dangerous.”
The Obamas left the White House in 2017, but clearly, Barack Obama still has plenty to say — and he’s not mincing words anymore.
