In a surprisingly candid appearance on the children’s podcast “Storytime with the Second Lady,” hosted by Usha Vance, President Donald Trump marked America’s 250th birthday by riffing on his White House predecessors, joking about his own weight, and delivering his classic commentary on real estate.
Sitting in the Oval Office with a plush bald eagle by his side, the 80-year-old grandfather of 11 kicked things off by focusing on his favorite subject.
“It’s the most powerful piece of real estate, probably in the world,” Trump said of the Oval Office. “Everything starts here, ends here, starts again.”
When the conversation shifted to reading habits, Trump admitted he rarely finds time for books. “I end up reading mostly newspapers," he confessed. "I usually read stories about myself.”
Sizing Up the Predecessors
Flipping through “Presidents Play!”—a book highlighting the hobbies of former U.S. leaders—Trump offered a stream-of-consciousness critique of the men who held the job before him:
Abraham Lincoln (Horseback Riding): Trump expressed interest but noted the safety risks. “I’d like to ride horses, too... [but] we get a nice old horse that’s extremely slow, lazy, and maybe ride him.”
John Quincy Adams & FDR (Swimming): Pointing to a picture of the creek where Adams swam, Trump noted, “I think we’re building a beautiful ballroom on top of it,” referencing a personal White House construction project currently entangled in lawsuits. On the topic of swimwear, Trump mused: “I don’t know if I look good in a bathing suit. I haven’t had a bathing suit in a long time. I’m too busy.”
John F. Kennedy (Sailing): Trump dubbed JFK “the second most good-looking president,” playfully leaving the number-one spot open to implication.
Bill Clinton (Jogging): In a rare move for a political rival, Trump offered high praise. “I like Bill Clinton a lot," he said, calling him a "nice guy" despite his fierce 2016 election battle against Hillary Clinton.
Barack Obama (Basketball): Trump was less generous toward Obama’s hoop skills, stating, “I don’t know if he’s a good basketball player. I tend to doubt it.”
The Battle of the Bulge (and History)
Trump also reacted to William Howard Taft, America’s heaviest president, who weighed in at over 300 pounds. Trump, known for his love of fast food, joked about keeping his own appetite in check.
“I have to be careful because I don’t want to supersede his record," Trump said. "And a thing like that would be possible if I allowed it to happen.”
A Semi-Serious Independence Day Message
Closing out the interview, Vance asked Trump why children should celebrate the nation's milestone Semiquincentennial. Trump pivoted to a characteristically polarized view of the country's current state.
“We have a great country. We have a country that is under a little bit of a ledge right now,” Trump concluded. “It can go one way or another, you understand that, but we’re going to go the other.”
