Speaking in South Africa, former President Barack Obama went on the offensive, lambasting many of President Trump’s policies and actions. Obama warned of “strongman” authoritarianism, seeming to suggest that Trump was using strongman tactics. Regarding leaders who lie, Obama also claimed an “utter loss of shame among political leaders.” Obama later seemed to be taking a direct swipe at Trump and his alleged propensity to lie and misconstrue information. Obama said: “You have to believe in facts. Without facts there’s no basis for cooperation. If I say this is a podium and you say this is an elephant, it’s going to be hard for us to cooperate.”
Obama also warned that the Press was under attack, and claimed that social media was being used to spread hate and lies.
Obama was careful not to mention Trump by name. Indeed, Obama has generally tip-toed around direct criticisms of Trump, as do most presidents when they leave office. Among former presidents, there’s an unspoken and unofficial tradition of laying low after vacating the Oval Office, and letting your successor have his or her own space.
However, Obama has directly questioned and even attacked many of Trump’s cornerstone policies. Some of the targets of Obama’s ire include healthcare reform, immigration policies, the border wall, and protectionism. Regardless, Obama has largely stayed out of the spotlight.
This most recent speech, however, could hint at an intention to get more directly involved in American politics. Trump has been criticized by many Republicans, Democrats, pundits, and other world leaders over his chummy relationship with Vladimir Putin. Obama’s speech appeared to be in response to the Helsinki summit, with Obama noting that we live in “strange and uncertain times.”
Obama’s remarks came while speaking to an audience of roughly 15,000 people, who were celebrating the 100th birthday of deceased leader Nelson Mandela.
