Obama takes fresh jabs at Trump in new interview

Barack Obama took a series of thinly veiled jabs at his successor, Donald Trump, during a conversation with Stephen Colbert, while also hinting at an unconventional political future as a potential “ambassador for Earth” in the event of an alien invasion.

The former president made the remarks during an interview from his presidential center, where he criticized Trump’s tenure and suggested that the bar for what it takes to be president had “changed.” Obama’s comments on the political landscape were punctuated by a bizarre suggestion that he could represent Earth in the event of extraterrestrial contact.

“I think I would be a good emissary for the planet,” Obama remarked with a smirk, adding, “I’ve got some experience in statecraft, diplomacy. I’m friendly. So, I actually think I could do a pretty good job.” His comment about intergalactic diplomacy drew laughter from Colbert and the studio audience.

During the interview, Colbert lightheartedly suggested that Obama should consider running for president again, a notion Obama quickly dismissed. “I think it’s a stupid idea,” Colbert admitted, to which Obama responded, “Well, you know, the bar has changed,” drawing cheers from the audience.

Obama continued to take jabs at Trump when Colbert asked about the powers of the president. He stressed that the White House should not be able to direct the Attorney General to prosecute political enemies, a clear reference to actions taken by the Trump administration. “The attorney general is the people’s lawyer, not the president’s consigliere,” Obama said.

The former president also criticized the use of the presidential pardon power, suggesting it should not be used to reward political allies or donors. He added that Trump had politicized the military, deviating from the norms that made it loyal to the country, not to one individual.

Obama’s remarks also extended to his successor’s controversial actions, including the corruption and politicization of various offices within the administration. “A good policy would be that the president shouldn’t have a bunch of side hustles,” Obama said, alluding to Trump’s business interests while in office.

Colbert jokingly pointed out that Obama could have earned money in the way Trump did by selling products like sneakers, prompting Obama to quip, “I have enough self-respect not to do that.”

The conversation took another turn when Colbert asked Obama about his previous statement regarding the possibility of alien life. Obama clarified that while he had not seen any evidence of extraterrestrials, he hoped they existed and would like to represent Earth if they ever made contact. “I’m putting in a plug now: First contact. I think I would be a good emissary for the planet,” Obama said with a grin. “The government is terrible at keeping secrets. If aliens exist, they’d probably be revealed by a security guard taking a selfie with one.”

Obama’s comments didn’t end there. He also criticized the current state of the Republican Party, lamenting its shift from a traditional conservative stance to one more focused on tapping into “the worst impulses.” He did, however, praise New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, calling him “an extraordinary talent,” but pointed out that the left often struggles with connecting to regular people. “Can you talk plain English to folks? Not gobbledygook,” Obama said.

Meanwhile, the former president also addressed the controversial construction of his presidential center, which has faced criticism due to its soaring costs and impact on the surrounding community in Chicago’s Jackson Park. Originally projected to cost $300 million, the center’s price tag has now ballooned to approximately $850 million, sparking outrage from locals who feel the project has displaced them without proper consultation.