Barack Obama made headlines recently when he attended a basketball game in California, creating quite a buzz amongst fans. Meanwhile, political analysts like Larry Sabato, Director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, suggest that former presidents such as Bill Clinton and Barack Obama have seemingly "washed their hands" of Donald Trump's presidency. This observation comes in the wake of Trump's record-breaking presidential address to Congress, which many described as a "dark, divisive tirade" replete with falsehoods and derogatory remarks.
During his address, Trump labeled Joe Biden as the "worst president in American history" and referred to Senator Elizabeth Warren as "Pocahontas." Despite these inflammatory comments, a bipartisan group of former presidents, including Clinton, Obama, and Biden, has refrained from publicly criticizing Trump's presidency. This collective silence raises questions about their stance on the current political climate.
George W. Bush, while not active on social media, did have his presidential center issue a statement condemning Trump and Vice-President JD Vance for their verbal assault on Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The center emphasized that "America First should not put Russia second," highlighting a critical stance against Trump's foreign policy approach.
Recently, the five living former presidents—Clinton, Bush, Obama, Carter, and Trump—gathered twice, notably at Jimmy Carter's state funeral. Observers noted the camaraderie between Obama and Trump as they were seen conversing and sharing a laugh, a surprising moment given Trump's relentless attacks on Biden throughout his presidency.
Historically, former presidents have not shied away from expressing their views on each other's tenures. For instance, Clinton once criticized his successor, George W. Bush, for failing to achieve democratic progress in Iraq. Obama also condemned Trump's handling of the coronavirus pandemic, describing it as an "absolute chaotic disaster." Furthermore, Obama voiced concerns that the "rule of law is at risk" under Trump's administration.
Despite these past criticisms, current Democratic voices like Kurt Bardella urge that solutions should focus on the present and future rather than dwelling on past administrations. Bill Clinton, while actively posting tributes to recently deceased political figures, has maintained a relatively subdued response to Trump's actions. In contrast, Hillary Clinton has adopted a more combative tone in her reactions.
Since leaving office, Biden has kept a low profile. He signed with a Los Angeles talent agency and recently attended a basketball game but has largely avoided public political discourse.