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Tucker Carlson on Thursday confessed he had initially been excited about former President Barack Obama's 2008 election victory.

The statement, which many people may find surprising coming from the conservative commentator, was made at an event in Oxford, Alabama, in what was Carlson's first public appearance since his departure from Fox News.

On April 24, Fox News Media announced it had parted ways with Carlson. The news made international headlines as his political talk show, Tucker Carlson Tonight, had been a massive ratings success for the network since its premiere in 2016.

Carlson's departure came days after a $787.5 million settlement was reached between Fox News and Dominion. The voting machine company had accused the network's anchors of making false claims about the 2020 presidential election results and baseless claims about Dominion voting machines.

Legal documents that were part of Dominion's lawsuit were released that revealed Carlson had said in private text messages from 2021 that he "passionately" hated Donald Trump.

Carlson spoke little of his Fox News departure at Thursday's event aside from some joking comments made at the beginning of his speech, according to The Anniston Star.

"I'm probably the first unemployed person you ever invited to speak," Carlson said, according to the Alabama newspaper. "It's funny. I rarely give speeches because I'm working, and when I accepted this speech six months ago I didn't realize how much free time I would have."

After expressing his admiration for Rainbow Omega, the faith-based nonprofit organization that hosted the fundraising event, Carlson turned his attention to national politics.

"If you treated your children like the federal government treats our population, they would all be in rehab," he said.

Brian Graves of The Aniston Star wrote that Carlson also claimed he was hopeful about Obama when the former president first arrived to the White House.

"Obama's first term was how we were going to get past race. I didn't vote for the guy, but everybody I knew was excited, and so was I," Carlson said. "We elect some guy I disagree with but we get to the point we stop picking at the scab and move forward as one countrywhy wouldn't I be for that? As a Christian, I was totally for that."

According to the Star, Carlson said his feelings changed during Obama's second term, when "all of a sudden we're not post-racial. All we're going to talk about is race and make each other hate each other on the basis of race."

The former Fox News host then reportedly said no one has ever "attacked me on racial terms" and that he doesn't think "there is widespread racism in the country. I have never seen itnot one time."

International political strategist George Ajjan told Newsweek that "Carlson trivially equates his experience not personally being attacked on the basis of race with an absence of racism in America."

"It's a typical mechanism, like the positive vibes surrounding Obama's election, of convenient self-absolution from acknowledging, not to mention confronting, a systemic cultural problem," Ajjan said.

Earlier this week, media outlets reported on a Carlson text message from 2021 that has been deemed racist by many. Carlson's message, which was also acquired during the discovery process of Dominion Voting Systems' defamation lawsuit against Fox, described watching a video showing at least three "Trump guys" beating an "Antifa kid."

Carlson allegedly wrote in the message that "jumping a guy" is "dishonorable" and "not how white men fight." He also said he found himself "rooting for the mob" against the man being attacked, "hoping they'd hit him harder, kill him," before he expressed regret at having such thoughts.

Robert Schmuhl, a professor emeritus in American studies and journalism at the University of Notre Dame, told Newsweek that for "Tucker Carlson to talk about race as he did in his recent speech just pours gasoline on a fire he started."

Schmuhl continued, "He talks about the Obama years without providing the necessary context that his own commentary at the time contributed to the polarization that helped divide America politically, socially and racially. If anything, we are even more divided today than during the Obama presidency, and Carlson himself deserves some of the blame for the way he discussed race on his program."

Newsweek reached out to Carlson's attorney via email for comment.

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Tucker Carlson Reveals He Was 'Excited' by Obama's Presidency - Newsweek

On World Press Freedom Day Wednesday, a video was posted on Twitter of former President Barack Obama lecturing about "widespread disinformation" and the need for journalists to create "an information environment"to support democracy.

Obama had previously recorded the video for a conference on democracy held by the Columbia Journalism School in late April. In the clip, he touted the importance of journalism in the struggle for democracy and ways to combat disinformation and promote journalistic efforts to defend the truth.

In sharing the video on Twitter, the Obama Foundation wrote, "This World Press Freedom Day, take a look at @BarackObama's remarks at the @ColumbiaJourn Faultlines: Democracy conference, and why the free press is vital for democracy to survive and thrive."

Former President Barack Obama spoke about the importance of journalism in democracy. (Twitter)

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Obama's personal account retweeted the Foundation, saying, "Journalists have always been on the front lines of the struggle for democracy. Thats why we need to keep standing up for the rights of journalists around the world. Grateful that we have @ColumbiaJourn and people like Jelani Cobb taking on this important work."

"Journalists have always been on the frontlines of struggles for democracy, and some of you have the scars to prove it. And thats why its so important to find creative ways to reinvigorate quality journalism. Its why we need to keep standing up for the rights of journalists around the world, many of whom are facing increasing threats and challenges just trying to do their jobs," Obama said in the video.

The former president continued, "I plan to keep shining a light on the biggest challenges that democracy faces, that includes revitalizing our political institutions, coming up with more inclusive and sustainable models of capitalism, creating a stronger democratic culture. But it also means creating an information environment that reinforces rather than erodes our democracy, one in which truth matters, one in which we are able to distinguish between fact and opinion."

Former U.S. President Barack Obama speaks at a Democracy Forum event held by the Obama Foundation at the Javits Center on November 17, 2022 in New York City. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

The former president also espoused the fight for democracy against issues such as "inequality," "polarization" and "widespread disinformation."

"I talk a lot about how democracy is neither inevitable nor self-executing. Citizens like us have to nurture it. We have to tend to it and fight for it. As our circumstances change, we have to be willing to look at ourselves critically and make reforms that can allow democracy not just to survive but to thrive. Thats especially important right now," Obama said.

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He added, "Our democracy has always faced its share of challenges, but increasingly it feels like were at an inflection point. Rising inequality, deepening polarization and widespread disinformation. At the same time, were also trying to adapt to advancements in technology like AI that can profoundly change our world. If we want to preserve our democratic ideals, we need to face these trends head on, and we need all of you to help us do it."

The Obama administration was involved in several seizures of journalists' records and prosecutions of government sources. (The Associated Press)

Though Obama praised journalists for their impact on democracy, his administration was criticized for an "unprecedented" number of prosecutions of government sources as well as seizures of journalists' records.

"In the Obama administration's Washington, government officials are increasingly afraid to talk to the press," former Washington Post executive editor Leonard Downie Jr. wrote in a 2015 report on U.S. press freedoms under the Obama administration. "The administration's war on leaks and other efforts to control information are the most aggressive I've seen since the Nixon administration, when I was one of the editors involved in The Washington Post's investigation of Watergate."

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Despite his history, Obama encouraged journalists in the video to help save democracy.

"So, what you do next, the imagination, the innovation, the determination that youre able to apply in your jobs is going to help determine the fate of our democracy, whether democracy gets stronger or whether it gets weaker, whether people become more divided or can come together to solve some of our biggest problems," Obama said.

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Barack Obama lectures about 'widespread disinformation' on World Press Freedom Day: 'Truth matters' - Fox News

Michelle Obama promoted healthy eating habits when she was first lady. Now, as co-founder of PLEZi Nutrition she aims to give parents healthier food options for their kids. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images hide caption

Michelle Obama promoted healthy eating habits when she was first lady. Now, as co-founder of PLEZi Nutrition she aims to give parents healthier food options for their kids.

Michelle Obama is taking on a new role as the co-founder of PLEZi Nutrition, which aims to market food and beverages for kids that are both tasty and healthy. The company, which announced its launch Wednesday, is starting with a line of low-sugar, nutrient-dense kids' drinks made from a fruit-juice blend.

"I believe there is a way to build a successful company and do right by our kids," Mrs. Obama said during remarks at the Wall Street Journal Future of Everything Festival on Wednesday. "I'm putting some skin in the game to put this theory to the test," she said.

As first lady, Mrs. Obama promoted healthy habits with the Let's Move campaign, which touted nutritious school meals and asked food companies and restaurant chains to commit to lower sugar, lower salt and lower-calorie options.

"I've learned that on this issue, if you want to change the game, you can't just work from the outside. You've got to get inside," Mrs. Obama said. "You've got to find ways to change the food and beverage industry itself," the former first lady said.

The launch comes at a time when about half the young children in the U.S. don't eat fruits and vegetables daily, but most consume an excessive amount of sugary drinks. While pediatricians have long called for limiting sugar and sweetened juices, the majority of families do not follow this advice and some products advertised as healthy may still contain lots of sugar or sweeteners.

To address this gap, there's an increasing focus on changing the food supply to offer healthier versions of the products consumers like. "A wave of investment is now directed toward more nourishing and authentic foods," says Dariush Mozaffarian, a cardiologist and Professor of Nutrition at Tufts University, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy.

"We are not going to solve today's nutrition crisis with yesterday's solutions," Mozaffarian says, pointing to the critical need for innovation and entrepreneurship. "It's terrific to see a leader like first lady Michelle Obama in this innovation movement " Mozafarrian says.

Mrs. Obama will not be the face of the PLEZi Nutrition brand. Her plan is to work behind the scenes to help navigate the mission to drive change in the food supply.

The company's first product is a line of kids' drinks called PLEZi, which has about 75% less sugar compared to top brands of fruit juice, and no added sugar. Fiber is blended into the beverages as well as nutrients such as potassium, magnesium and zinc. The drinks come in flavors including Sour Apple, Blueberry Blast and Orange Smash, and will be sold at retailers including Target and online at Walmart. A four-pack of 8 ounce drinks will cost just under $4.00.

There are plenty of skeptics who will question the benefit of marketing kids' beverages, and Mrs. Obama, as well as her partners and advisors, are well aware of this. "While we know that water or milk is always the best option for kids, and we'll continue to recommend that first, kids who are used to drinking soda or 100% fruit juice daily are not going to easily make that switch," says Dr. Shale Wong, a pediatrician at the University of Colorado School of Medicine who is on the PLEZi advisory committee. The company's approach is to meet parents where they are, at a time when kids consume 53 pounds of added sugar a year.

"Innovation must happen from within the food system if we're going to ultimately make the kind of change that will create healthier environments for kids," says Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association. "We certainly applaud Mrs. Obama and everyone who's trying to innovate in the food system for creating these healthier options for our kids and families," Brown said.

PLEZi Nutrition is incorporated as a Public Benefit Company that will invest 10% of profits back into initiatives that promote kids' health. PBCs are for-profit companies that operate to produce a public benefit in a responsible and sustainable manner.

PLEZi Nutrition will operate with integrity, transparency and accessibility, Obama says. "Ensuring great taste, because kids have to want it. Driving change through innovation and always, always putting children's well-being first."

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Michelle Obama launches a food company aimed at healthier choices for kids - NPR

Former US President Barack Obama has warned against the dangers of political polarization during an event in Berlin on Wednesday as part of his global speaking tour.

At the event, Obama said that some young people believe everything they see on social media platforms like TikTok.

He said this can lead to the spread of misinformation as well as polarization, both of which he cited as some of the greatest threats to democracy.

Obama's talk was held at the 17,000-seat Mercedes-Benz Arena. Tickets ranged from 60 ($65) to 550.

While in Berlin, Obama had dinner with his "old friend," former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, on Tuesday.

Obama's term as president from 2009 to 2017 coincided with the latter part of Merkel's time in office, and the two leaders had a warm relationship.

The former US president also had lunch with Germany's current Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday.

He said the two leaders might come from opposing parties, but they share the same basic values.

These differences of opinion make for a healthy democracy, he added.

zc/rc (dpa)

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Obama warns of polarization at Berlin speaking event - DW (English)

By Joe GuzzardiSyndicated columnist

The latest chapter in the ongoing open border crisis involves four former first families associated with groups whose mission is to transport migrants from their home countries to the United States. Immigration lawyers call this aiding and abetting, a federal crime.

One claim that journalists on the immigration beat should never make: Ive seen it all. Some might label the open borders crisis that has allowed more than 5 million illegal aliens to cross into the U.S. interior and the refusal by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to enforce immigration law the apex of criminality.

Under Biden, annual illegal immigration entries far exceed the legal entry total. Many aliens have been granted parole, an immigration status that includes work permission. And after a year, parolees have access to federal welfare programs as if they were lawfully present. Parole was never intended to be granted en masse, munificence that Biden is not allowed to authorize. Despite the strictly defined guidelines, Biden has paroled 1 million aliens, including 800,000 who are inadmissible.

As troubling as Bidens and Mayorkas contempt for immigration law is, a recent news story may be more worrisome. The story revealed that a nongovernmental organization (NGO), Welcome.US, is expanding its scope. Originally created in partnership with American Express Global Business Travel (AEGBT), the NGO helped relocate Afghans to the U.S. during 2021 and 2022. Now working in tandem with Miles4Migrants while retaining its association with AEGBT, the NGO is committed to funding flights into the U.S. interior for migrants, likely unvetted, from Cuba, Haiti, Venezuela, Ukraine and Nicaragua.

The Afghan endeavor, with ties to billionaire George Soros, also had corporate backing from Walmart, Airbnb, The New York Times, the Business Roundtable, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Starbucks, The Washington Post, Goldman Sachs, Goodwill Industries, Microsoft and Chobani. Soros Open Society Foundations has placed several of its members on the Welcome.US National Welcome Council.

That huge Fortune 500 companies, George Soros and immigration expansionist activists like President Obamas Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council Cecilia Muoz are all-in on facilitating more migration is no surprise. Other names on the list, however, while not a total shock, are a grave disappointment to an American majority who want to return to historic immigration levels, 230,000 annually, and sustainable population growth. The Census Bureau identified immigration and births to immigrants as the main driver of population growth.

The Welcome.US website identifies as Honorary Co-Chairs Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, Hillary and Bill Clinton, Laura and George Bush, and Michelle and Barack Obama. These influential first families are the most elite among the elite. They have the power of persuasion and vast wealth. The Carters, net worth about $10 million, are the groups paupers. Then come the Bushes Laura and George W., with a net worth of $120 million; the Obamas, $135 million; and the Clintons, $250 million. During their terms, the four ex-presidents encouraged, with some success, more immigration.

Carter signed the Refugee Act of 1980. Bush pushed hard for amnesty from Day One of his administration, and two years ago, he wrote a book extolling the benefits of immigration. In 1998, Clinton signed the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act that increased the cap on H-1B visas from the then-current 65,000 level to 115,000 for FY 1999, 115,000 in FY 2000 and 107,500 in FY 2001. Obama issued several pro-immigration executive orders.

Assume that politics plays no part in ex-presidents migrant relocation quest, and that the highest ideals motivate the four, a more important question still lurks. Some may ask if the presidents are violating U.S. Federal Code Title 8 Section 1324, Bringing in and Harboring Certain Aliens. The Codes language includes these exact words referencing alien transport . anyone who brings to or attempts to bring to the U.S. is subject to criminal penalties. The current immigration status of the prospective incoming migrants is unknown, but the probability that many have neither been granted parole nor been adequately vetted is high. Moreover, the Immigration and Nationality Act authorizes DHS to prescribe parole only on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.

Clinton and the Obamas have juris doctor degrees from, respectively, Yale and Harvard. If they didnt know the federal immigration codes before signing up with Welcome.US, they should have researched them.

Actively promoting refugee resettlement, which most Americans oppose, is unworthy of former presidential families.

More mass immigration loosens the labor market, expands population unsustainably and is especially harmful to societys most vulnerable job seekers issues that Democrats claim to care about but. However, judging by their actions, they do not. With Title 42 ending on May 11, the U.S. will experience a huge immigration influx.

Thousands are lined up at the Southwest border; no need to fly in migrants.

Joe Guzzardi is a Project for Immigration Reform analyst who has written about immigration for more than 30 years.

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Clinton, Bush, Obama align with open borders groups - The Highland County Press