Donald Trump appeared on Usha Vance’s podcast, Storytime with the Second Lady, on Friday. He was invited to read a children’s book to a group of young listeners in celebration of literacy and the upcoming Fourth of July.
The book, titled “Presidents Play,” was created by the White House Historical Society. It explores how various US presidents have spent their leisure time while in office, engaging in activities ranging from sports to hobbies and home renovations.
As he read the book, Trump frequently deviated from the text, sharing his own opinions on former presidents, occasionally turning these into subtle criticisms.
While discussing William Howard Taft, known as the heaviest president, Trump humorously noted that he needs to manage his weight to avoid surpassing Taft’s record. He advised the young audience, “For all of you out there watching, keep yourself in good shape, right?”
John F. Kennedy also received a mention, with Trump giving a backhanded compliment by calling JFK “the second-most good-looking president,” implying that he considers himself the most handsome, although he didn’t explicitly state it.
He questioned Barack Obama’s athletic abilities, especially his basketball skills, and suggested that Obama’s true passion lies with golf, adding, “he won’t be in the Masters anytime soon.”
Not all references were critical. Trump complimented Bill Clinton, saying he wouldn’t take up jogging like Clinton but remarked that he considers him “a nice guy” whom he still likes “a lot.”
Throughout the reading, Trump linked several historical anecdotes from the book to his own tenure in the White House.
After reading about Harry Truman’s fondness for walking around Washington DC, Trump took the opportunity to emphasize his own efforts to reduce crime in the capital, asserting that it has “become a very safe place” because of his actions.
He also mentioned John Quincy Adams’ habit of swimming in the old Tiber Creek, noting that the new White House ballroom, which is replacing the East Wing, is being constructed on the site of the former creekbed.
In closing, Trump addressed the children watching in preparation for Independence Day, suggesting that America is currently “on a little bit of a ledge,” but expressed confidence that the nation is moving in the right direction.
“We have a great country,” he stated. “It can go one way or another, you understand that. But we’re going to make it go the other way.”
Trump also revealed his own reading preferences, admitting that his focus is mainly on news articles “about myself,” as he explained to Vance.