10 Things Obama Is Doing Instead Of Causing Trump Admin Leaks
Since leaving the White House in January, former president Barack Obama has found himself in the praise of the public. Much like his journey to commander in chief in 2009, the relentless unwavering of his charm, poise and coolness factor has returned to social media, the platform he brilliantly used to his advantage during his tenure. But as Obama’s glo-up continues, orange clouds have tried to dismantle it.
READ Goals: Here Are 14 Of Barack & Michelle Obama’s Cutest Moments
This week (Feb. 28), President Donald Trump shared with Fox & Friends his thoughts on the never-ending White House leaks. While the hosts asked a baited question connecting Obama to the leaks, instead of correcting them, Trump decided to ride the wave and connect him to his crumbling administration woes. “I think that President Obama’s behind it because his people are certainly behind it,” Trump said. “And some of the leaks possibly come from that group, you know, some of the leaks – which are very serious leaks, because they’re very bad in terms of national security.” Tabloids have fueled the flames with unsupported accusations, which has been a wet dream to the alt-right.
But as we’ve seen in the past few months, Obama has remained focused on being a productive citizen and living his best life. As Trump’s administration continues to do a great job sabotaging themselves, we’re taking a look at some of the activities taking up Obama’s time.
1. Getting His Life in the Caribbean
That smile, the kitesurfing skills and open-toed sandals were just a glimpse of Barack and former first lady Michelle Obama’s British Virgin Islands vacation. While it may have seemed like forever, the Obamas enjoyed a few weeks on Moskito Island soaking up the sun and taking photos with other tourists and natives.
READ Barack Obama’s Vacation Pics Will Brighten Your Life
2. Enjoying Father-Daughter Time
Obama and the rest of his family (minus Malia) are currently residing in Washington DC’s lavish Kalorama Heights, but his cozy home hasn’t stopped him from taking a trip to see his oldest daughter in New York. The two were seen out and about Feb. 24, grabbing lunch and catching the Broadway production of Authur Miller’s The Price. Obama enjoyed the show in plain sight with fandom ensuing after he left the theater. Sporting his signature smile, it’s safe to say father-daughter time went well.
READ Barack Obama Visits Daughter Malia In New York City, Looks Happier Than Ever
3. Prepping his Obama Foundation
During their final address to the public as president and first lady, the Obamas mentioned the Obama Foundation, a program designed to fuel his efforts in climate change, prison reform and rebuilding the communities of Chicago and beyond. “True democracy is a project that’s much bigger than any one of us,” Obama said. “It’s bigger than any one person, any one president, any one government. It’s a job for all of us.”
4. Meditating
We’re sure he’s finding time for this. What else can explain his glo-up?
5. Signing Book Deals
Obama’s books The Audacity of Hope, Dreams from My Father, along with his children’s picture book Of Thee I Sing, are all considered best sellers, so it’s no surprise that Penguin Random House quickly offered Barack and Michelle a joint book deal valued in the millions. “There will not be a more eagerly awaited presidential autobiography than the one that he’ll write, because of who he is and because of the fact that people have high expectations for him as a writer,” David Axelrod, former chief strategist for Obama’s presidential campaigns said. His speeches centered around gun violence and race have pulled on the heartstrings on America while Michelle’s infamous DNC speech (“they go low, we go high” mantra) have done the same.
READ Morehouse Flips Presidents’ Day To ‘Obama Day’
6. Preparing to Engage with Politicians
As part of his Obama Foundation, Obama is reportedly “ready to roll” on engaging with state legislators at a lower level once again. Former Attorney General Eric Holder told reporters Tuesday (Feb. 28) that he’s spoken with the former president about fundraising and other plans for his days as a citizen.
7. Still Reading Fan Letters
We’re sure Obama might have taken home a couple hundred or thousand letters that were sent to the Office of Presidential Correspondence (O.P.C.). In a New York Times Magazine piece on the traditional way the public kept in touch with Obama during his time as president, Obama and interns shared their feelings on reading letters as simple as compliments from eight-year-olds to photos of deceased from grieving mothers who lost their children to gun violence. “The letters that matter the most to me are the ones that … make a connection,” he said in January. “Somebody just recently wrote me a letter about when they were growing up — their mom always used to use the N-word and was derogatory about African-Americans, but was also an unbelievably great mom who worked three jobs to put the kids through school, and how … sort of both troubling and proud — how troubling this woman saw her mother’s prejudice, but how proud she was of her mom as a person. And how, toward the end of her life, her attitudes changed, and she ended up announcing she was going to vote for the black guy. She had now passed away, but she thought I should know that.”
Obama switched up the traditional system by advising staffers he wanted to read up to 10 letters a day. “You know, there are those kinds of letters, I think, that shape your attitudes,” he said. On Twitter, Obama called the letters the best part of his job as president.
8. Checking Bush For Fangirling Over Michelle Obama
Maybe, maybe not. While an unlikely pair, Michelle and George W. Bush’s friendship is pretty funny to think about. “She kind of likes my sense of humor. Anybody who likes my sense of humor, I immediately like,” Bush said to People Magazine this week while promoting his new book, Portraits of Courage.
9. Finding Bo
We haven’t seen Bo since the family departed from the White House. Where’s he at?
READ Barack Obama’s Vacation Pics Will Brighten Your Life
10. Suffering From Success
In case you haven’t noticed, Obama is definitely living the “miss me when I’m gone” stages of his political career. So much so that he was named on Thursday (March 2) the 2017 recipient of the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award, for his efforts to keep the late president’s legacy alive. “President Kennedy called on a new generation of Americans to give their talents to the service of the country,” Kennedy’s daughter, Caroline Kennedy, said in a statement, Associated Press reports. “With exceptional dignity and courage, President Obama has carried that torch into our own time, providing young people of all backgrounds with an example they can emulate in their own lives.”
Nice way to spend his time these days right?
