What will it take for a former president to speak out against Trump?

Barack Obama (left) and Donald Trump at the Washington National Cathedral, in Washington DC on 9 January 2025. Photograph: Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images

🏀 Barack Obama’s Basketball Night Out Amid Trump’s Tumultuous Presidency 🏀

In a moment of surreal normalcy during an otherwise chaotic time in American politics, Barack Obama made a surprise appearance at a Los Angeles Clippers game on Wednesday night. The former U.S. president, greeted with cheers and applause, watched the Clippers take on the Detroit Pistons, offering a brief respite from the storm of controversy surrounding Donald Trump’s second term.

🎉 A Warm Welcome for Obama

As the stadium announcer introduced “a very special guest,” the crowd erupted in excitement when they realized it was Obama. The 44th president stood, waved, and smiled, embodying the calm and charisma that once defined his time in office. It was a stark contrast to the divisive rhetoric dominating the political landscape.

🗣️ Trump’s Divisive Address

The night before, Trump delivered the longest presidential address to Congress in history—a fiery, combative speech filled with personal attacks and false claims. He labeled Joe Biden as the “worst president in American history” and mocked Elizabeth Warren as “Pocahontas.” Yet, despite the vitriol, Biden, Obama, and other former presidents remained silent, leaving many to wonder: Why aren’t they speaking out?

Former presidents and first ladies at the inauguration of Donald Trump at the US Capitol on 20 January 2025 in Washington DC. Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

🤔 The Silence of the Ex-Presidents

• Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics, likened the former presidents to “Pontius Pilate,” suggesting they’ve washed their hands of the current political turmoil. “When you challenge Trump, he goes after you and never lets up. It’s hell every single day,” Sabato explained.
• Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama have all avoided direct criticism of Trump, perhaps wary of the relentless backlash that would follow.

🚨 A Nation in Crisis

Trump’s first six weeks in office have been nothing short of explosive. From pardoning January 6 insurrectionists to siding with Russia over Ukraine, his actions have left millions of Americans reeling. Critics argue that the former presidents have a moral obligation to speak out against what they see as an unprecedented threat to democracy.

📢 Calls for Action

• Robert Reich, former U.S. Labor Secretary, called Trump “the most lawless president in American history.”
• Grassroots activists and former government officials have been vocal in their opposition, urging more direct action to counter Trump’s policies.
• Five former treasury secretaries and five former defense secretaries have publicly criticized Trump’s actions, warning of dire consequences for the nation’s financial and military stability.

🤝 The Presidents’ Club

Despite the growing calls for intervention, the former presidents have maintained a cautious distance. Obama, Clinton, and Bush have all avoided direct confrontation with Trump, opting instead for subtle critiques or silence.

• Obama’s Social Media: While Obama’s X account (with over 130 million followers) shared an article criticizing Trump’s cuts to international aid, it also posted lighthearted content, like congratulating the Philadelphia Eagles on their Super Bowl win and a Valentine’s Day message to Michelle Obama.
• Clinton’s Posts: Bill Clinton has focused on tributes to late political figures, while Hillary Clinton has been more combative, sarcastically commenting on Trump’s handling of Russia.
• Bush’s Silence: George W. Bush, the only living Republican president besides Trump, has remained largely silent, though his presidential center criticized Trump’s attacks on Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

All living presidents attending the funeral for former president Jimmy Carter. Photograph: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images

🕰️ A History of Presidential Criticism

While it’s rare for former presidents to openly criticize their successors, history is not without precedent:

• Theodore Roosevelt lambasted William Taft.
• Jimmy Carter criticized Ronald Reagan for his Iran-Contra scandal.
• Bill Clinton took digs at George W. Bush over Iraq.
• Obama called Trump’s pandemic response a “chaotic disaster.”

Yet, none of these instances compare to Trump’s relentless attacks on Biden, whom he has mocked as “Sleepy Joe” and blamed for “more damage than the last 10 worst presidents combined.”

🔮 What’s Next?

As Trump continues to push the boundaries of presidential power, the question remains: Will the former presidents break their silence? Some, like Sabato, believe they have a moral obligation to do so. “I get it. But I think they have an obligation to do more,” he said.

Others, like Democratic strategist Kurt Bardella, argue that the focus should be on the future, not the past. “The answer for Democrats is not backwards. It’s got to be somewhere forward-looking,” Bardella said.

The funeral of George HW Bush. Photograph: Pool

💬 Your Thoughts?

Should Obama, Clinton, and Bush speak out against Trump’s actions? Or is their silence a strategic move to avoid fueling further division? Share your opinions below! 👇 #BarackObama #DonaldTrump #PresidentialPolitics #USCrisis #DemocracyInPeril"