The Obama-Trump Truce Is Already Over – The Atlantic
It took George W. Bush and Barack Obama a while to warm up to each other. They had many differencesin party, in age, in temperament, in style. Obama had risen to the presidency in part by peddling a harsh critique of Bushs administration. The relationship grew gradually over time. The two men joked at the unveiling of Bushs White House portrait in 2012. Bush invited Obama to the opening of his presidential library. By the time Michelle Obama and the former president embraced at the opening of the National Museum of African American History, stories emerged about the odd friendship between the couples.
The Feedback Loop of Doom for Democratic Norms
That growing warmth was fostered in part by a detente between the two men. While Obama fired broadsides against Bush on the campaign trail, Bush mostly shrugged it off. He instructed Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson to keep Obama briefed on responses to the economic crisis, Jonathan Alter reported, with Paulson deeming Obama far more informed about the economy than John McCain. During the transition process, Bush invited Obama and his national-security appointees to war games.
After Obamas inauguration, Bush quietly left the scene and mostly avoided talking about politics. He repeatedly stressed the importance of allowing Obama to govern without the interference of an ex-president. The silence was so striking that when reports surfaced in April 2015, seven years into Obamas presidency, that Bush had privately criticized Obamas ISIS policy, it was headline news. Just as notably, former Bush spokesman Ari Fleischer disputed the reports. He never mentioned Obama. He gave direct, blunt answers to the hottest topics of the day involving politics of the Middle East, Fleischer told CNN.
Obama, in turn, responded to Bushs withdrawal using the same methodhe seldom mentioned Bushs name. As conservatives did not fail to point out, whenever Obama was confronted with his administrations struggles to get the economy rolling, he complained that he had been handed an extremely poor economy. But he usually avoided saying just who he had inherited that economy from. It was a small courtesy for the former president, and a token of Obamas gratitude for Bushs graciousness. Former Obama Chief of Staff Bill Daley told The Washington Post that Obama didnt mention Bush much in private, either, though some of his staffers grumbled about the former president. (Many of Bushs aides still found Obamas criticisms of their old boss unfair and distasteful.)
The public truce between Obama and Bush was notable because of the harsh tone of the 2008 campaign, but it followed the pattern set by previous commanders in chief: The outgoing president would stay out of the way and the incoming president would avoid attacking him. Despite Barack Obamas attempts to build a rapport with Donald Trump during the presidential transition, and despite Trumps public gratitude, the tradition seems moribund now.
Obama had already declared his intention to deviate from tradition if there are issues that have less to do with the specifics of some legislative proposal or battle, but go to core questions about our values and our ideals. He has already broken his silence once, with a spokesman issuing a statement on protests last weekend over Trumps immigration executive order. President Obama is heartened by the level of engagement taking place in communities around the country, the statement said, calling the demonstrations exactly what we expect to see when American values are at stake.
But if Obama is willing to fire a broadside at his successor,Trumps administration has shown its willingness to attack Obama in terms that are equally harsh, or even harsher. In a statement on Wednesday about Iran conducting a ballistic-missile test, National Security Adviser Michael Flynn spent nearly as much ink blasting Obamas policies as he did the Iranians:
The Obama Administration failed to respond adequately to Tehran's malign actionsincluding weapons transfers, support for terrorism, and other violations of international norms. The Trump Administration condemns such actions by Iran that undermine security, prosperity, and stability throughout and beyond the Middle East and place American lives at risk. President Trump has severely criticized the various agreements reached between Iran and the Obama Administration, as well as the United Nationsas being weak and ineffective.
On Thursday, Press Secretary Sean Spicer also opened up on Obama. Spicer was being quizzed about a phone call between Trump and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, which reportedly ended acrimoniously in part due to differences over an agreement by the Obama administration to accept 1,250 refugees from Australia.
The president is unbelievably disappointed in the previous administrations deal that was made and how poorly it was crafted, and the threat to national security it put the United States on, Spicer said, a statement remarkable not only for its directness but for the accusation that Obama had endangered American security.
A showdown between presidents is unpredictable because its so rare. But Obama might feel emboldened by his public standing. He has a hefty advantage in approval ratingshe left office with a 59 percent approval rate, according to Gallup, against Trumps current 45 percent. (Incidentally, he also had the upper hand when he entered office, with two-thirds of Americans approving of his performance against just 34 percent approval for Bush, which might have encouraged Bush to stay mum.)
Nonetheless, these are likely only the opening skirmishes of a longer campaign of sniping between Obama and Trump. Trumps agenda is full of just the kinds of items that Obama said would force him to speak up. The tone of Flynns attack on Obama startled White House reporters, who asked Spicer on Wednesday whether to expect more like that. Yes, came the answer.
I think in areas where there's going to be a sharp difference, in particular national security, in contrasting the policies that this president is seeking to make the country safer, stronger, more prosperous, he's going to draw those distinctions and contrast out, Spicer said. And so he's going to continue to make sure that the American people know that some of these deals and things that were left by the previous administration, that he wants to make very clear what his position is and his opposition to them. And the action and the notice that he put Iran on today is something that is important, because I think the American people voted on change.
One change they voted on, whether they realized it or not, was the end of the tradition of comity between former and current presidents.
See more here:
The Obama-Trump Truce Is Already Over - The Atlantic
- Trump blames Obama for what he calls 2016 attempt to tie him to Russia - Reuters - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Trump posts AI video of Obama being arrested after Gabbards coup claims: No one is above the law - The Independent - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Exclusive: House Speaker Johnson Willing to Subpoena Former President Obama over Russia Investigation - cbn.com - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Trump says Obama 'guilty' of 'treason' for ordering 2016 Russia investigation: 'They tried to steal the election' - New York Post - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Tulsi Gabbard openly accuses Obama of longstanding effort to overthrow Trump in coup - Yahoo Home - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Michelle Obama urges authenticity on social media: Dont be afraid to expose the messy or more complicated bits - The Hill - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Barack Obama Could Be Subpoenaed Over Declassified Docs: What to Know - Newsweek - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Trump Slammed Obama for Pushing NFL Team to 'Change Their Name' in Decade-Old Tweet. Now He's Doing the Same - Latin Times - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Donald Trump Jr. Shares Anti-Obama Meme That May Have Just Clowned JD Vance, Too - Yahoo Home - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Village People Reacts After President Trump Shares Offensive AI Video of Fake Obama Arrest Set to Y.M.C.A. - Billboard - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Michelle Obama on the Difficulties of Raising Malia and Sasha in the White House - Harper's BAZAAR - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Trump posts fake AI-video showing Obama being arrested with YMCA and meme turned hate symbol - USA Today - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Trump says DOJ should make Barack Obama top target over 2016 Russia investigation, This was treason - Hindustan Times - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Michael Steele Torches Trumps Spigot Of Lies In Painting Obama As Criminal - HuffPost - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Donald Trump wants people targeted after report on Obama's alleged 2016 election plot - Washington Times - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- After Obama prison video, Trump says another top Democrat is in Big Trouble - The Independent - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Johnson willing to subpoena Obama to face Congress grilling over Trump-Russia scheme - New York Post - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Trump blames Obama for what he calls 2016 attempt to tie him to Russia By Reuters - Investing.com - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Can Trump really prosecute Obama over the 2016 Russia probe? - Firstpost - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Tulsi Gabbard's Claims of 'Treasonous Conspiracy' by Obama Admin Conflict With Republican-Led Investigation in 2020: Report - Latin Times - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Tulsi Gabbard calls for Obama to be prosecuted over 2016 election claims - The Guardian - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Gabbard Claims Obama Administration Tried to Undermine Trump in 2016 - The New York Times - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Gabbard Dangles More Obama Claims as MAGA Rages Over Epstein - The Daily Beast - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Tulsi Gabbard openly accuses Obama of longstanding effort to overthrow Trump in coup - The Independent - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Obama admin aimed to usurp Trump: DNI Tulsi Gabbard reopens 2016 election probe; vows to hand over all - Times of India - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- 'Obama can't be jailed as that might cause civil unrest': Major outrage Tulsi Gabbard's claim amid Epstei - Times of India - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Barack Obama Urges Young Men To Befriend Gay People Who Can Help Teach Them 'Empathy And Kindness' - Yahoo Home - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- 2016 election probe: Donald Trump backs Tulsi Gabbard; slams Barack Obama and 'thugs' - Times of India - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Obama should be out there more countering Trump in 'moment of crisis,' MSNBC panelist says - Fox News - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Gabbard claims Obama officials manufactured intelligence of 2016 Russian election interference - The Hill - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Barack Obama Says Young Boys Need Gay Men In Their Lives and Black Men Are on Fire About It - The Root - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Opinion | Trump is deporting fewer people than Obama. Hes just louder and meaner. - The Washington Post - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Barack Obama explains why he thinks all men need queer people in their lives - Out Magazine - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- GOP lawmaker says 'new information' led to DNI Gabbard's bombshell claim against Obama admin - Fox News - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Congressman says Obama needs to answer for this after documents seemingly show Obama admin manufactured Trump-Russia hoax - Yahoo Home - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Trump Backs Gabbards Call To Prosecute Obama; Slams Thugs For Alleged Election Fraud - Times Now - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Michelle and Barack Obama get candid as they address divorce rumors and more - Times of India - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- We have evidence to prosecute Obama for 2016 election narrative, Gabbard says - Washington Examiner - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Barack Obama-Michelle finally address divorce rumours: 'There hasnt been one moment in our marriage...' - The Economic Times - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Top Dem Deflates Gabbards Obama Coup Claims in Two Words - The Daily Beast - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Tulsi Gabbard calls for Barack Obama to be prosecuted over 2016 election claims: Treasonous conspiracy' - Mint - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Like Mark Cuban and Barack Obama, this founder says worklife balance doesnt exist for the successful: Even if I am on vacation, you're on 24 hours a... - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Ex-Obama staffer breaks into laughter over Trumps latest theory: Its so f---ing stupid! - NJ.com - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Obama should be out there more countering Trump in 'moment of crisis,' MSNBC panelist says - FOX 8 TV - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Barack Obama tells Democrats to toughen up as they look at the future - Yahoo Home - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Cuban-Americans reflect on 10 years since Obama thaw, current chill with Cuba - Spectrum News - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Where Is Obama? Im Out Here! He Told Me. Watch the Interview. - Mother Jones - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Obama Continues to Lecture His Fellow Democrats Instead of Battling the Trump Agenda - Esquire - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Barack and Michelle Obama address divorce rumors - WUSA9 - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- George W. Bush Was 'Kind of Mad' at Daughter for Asking Him About Obama Divorce Rumors: 'I Know Them and It Isn't True' - People.com - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- 'She took me back': Barack, Michelle Obama address and joke about divorce rumors - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Michelle and Barack Obama Reveal Whos the Grumpiest, the Messiest and the Most Romantic - MSN - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Barack Obama gets candid about why he would have had difficulty raising a son - TheGrio - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Jesse Watters: Boring Barack Obama is trying to save the Democratic Partys appeal to male voters - Fox News - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Barack Obama's first statement on divorce rumors: 'She took me back!' - Times of India - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Barack, Michelle Obama laugh off divorce rumors: See their relationship through the years - USA Today - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Barack Obama Believes It Wouldve Been Difficult To Raise A Son - VIBE.com - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- F*ggot: Antonio Brown sparks outrage with homophobic slur aimed at Barack Obama over inclusive friendsh - Times of India - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Barack Obama reveals why having sons wouldve terrified him - rollingout.com - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Are Barack & Michelle Obama Getting Divorced? They Finally Address the Rumors - Swooon - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Former President George W. Bush Was Really 'Mad' His Daughter Asked Him About The Obama Divorce Rumors - The Blast - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Trump dodges question on if hes in Epstein files and claims Obama and James Comey made them up - The Independent - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Obama bros confronted on Democratic Party's intolerance problem, history of excluding people - Fox News - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Obama's call to action for Democrats: 'Toughen up' and 'less whining' - MSNBC News - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Obama slams Big Law attorneys who won't fight Trump because they want to 'finish that kitchen rehab' at their Hamptons homes - Business Insider - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Trump says Obama and Biden made up the Epstein files - The Times - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Obama Delivers Tough Talk to Dems on How to Defeat Trump - The Daily Beast - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- In defence of Step Brothers: the platonic ideal of Obama-era comedy - The Guardian - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Barack and Michelle Obama address divorce rumors in playful podcast moment: Touch and go for a while - Page Six - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Trump denies being cited in Epstein documents, calls files fabricated by Comey and Obama - WCIV - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Barack Obama reveals why it would have been difficult to raise a son after having two daughters - The Independent - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Barack Obama demands less whining and more action from Democrats - MassLive - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Charlamagne criticizes Obama's 'mind-boggling' advice to Democrats as too little, too late - Fox News - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Why Barack and Michelle Obama Would Have Had Difficulty Raising a Son - instyle.com - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Barack Obama says raising a son wouldve been more difficult than raising Sasha and Malia - HOLA - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Obama Calls Out Biglaw Firms That Capitulated To Trump - Above the Law - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Barack Obama Explains Why He Would Have Had 'Difficulty' Raising a Son After Parenting 2 Daughters (Exclusive) - People.com - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Whoopi Goldberg claps back at Obama's claim that Democrats need to stop "whining": "You are pointing the finger at the wrong... - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Frustrated with leadership under Trump? Obama calls on Democrats to 'toughen up' - USA Today - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Whoopi Goldberg criticizes Barack Obama for saying Democrats need to 'toughen up' - Entertainment Weekly - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]