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marmar

(80,399 posts)
Fri Jun 19, 2026, 09:11 AM Jun 19

Trump's envy soars over Obama Center


The new Obama Presidential Center ramps up Trump’s jealousy
The Iran war loss cements the current president’s failed legacy

By Amanda Marcotte
Senior Writer
Published June 19, 2026 6:45AM (EDT)


(Salon) Years before he ran, the throughline that would define Donald Trump’s presidency was set: his racist, unhinged obsession with Barack Obama. Trump could have gone down in history with a minor but positive reputation, remembered vaguely but fondly by most Americans as the goofy New York character who hosted “The Apprentice.” Instead, he fell into a spiral of outrage that a Black man who was smarter, more handsome and more beloved than he could ever be had been elected president.

Trump famously spent much of 2011 pushing the racist conspiracy theory that Obama could not be a native-born citizen. This resulted in Obama mocking him while Trump seethed at the White House Correspondents Dinner, a narcissistic injury that clearly stings Trump to this day. Trump spent the next decade-plus trying to destroy Obama’s legacy, which he hasn’t been able to do, despite two presidential wins. If anything, Trump’s malevolence and clownishness have only served to heighten the nation’s nostalgia for the Obama years.

On Thursday, the contrast grew starker with the opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, which Trump was pointedly not invited to, though George W. Bush was. It was a star-studded affair, featuring blockbuster performances from megastars like Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson, Christina Aguilera, John Legend, and the Roots. This adds insult to Trump’s recent injury, in which a series of far less dazzling musical acts canceled their appearances at Trump’s Freedom 250 event, which is ostensibly to celebrate the nation’s semiquincentennial, but is dominated by Trump’s ever-present desire to suck up all available attention.

....(snip)....

Trump’s jealousy of Obama is almost certainly a major, perhaps primary, reason he decided to attack Iran in the first place. During his presidency, Obama had negotiated a deal with the country to stop their nuclear development program. Trump almost certainly didn’t understand the details or the work that went into that effort, but seized on Republican criticisms of it as evidence for his ongoing crusade to “prove” that the first Black president was unqualified. One reason the Iran war dragged on for as long as it did was Trump’s unwillingness to accept a worse deal than what Obama got through diplomacy. Trump only caved because, as he admitted to reporters, he’s trying not to be remembered as another Herbert Hoover. (He shouldn’t worry. He’ll be remembered as far worse.) ....................(more)

https://www.salon.com/2026/06/19/the-new-obama-presidential-center-ramps-up-trumps-jealousy/






53 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Trump's envy soars over Obama Center (Original Post) marmar Jun 19 OP
Obama approval 57%. Trump 34%. underpants Jun 19 #1
POTUS Obama's approval would have been higher and Trump's approval PufPuf23 Jun 19 #44
Send in the clown. Swede Jun 19 #2
Obama lives in Trump's head rent free BlueWaveNeverEnd Jun 19 #3
Obama Derangement Syndrome MoseShrute Jun 19 #14
I'm definitely enjoying the contrast between love for Obama and contempt for the pedophile. NNadir Jun 19 #4
Great read malaise Jun 19 #5
How many White House walls are being cleaned of ketchup today, would you guess? mnhtnbb Jun 19 #6
It's hard for trump to compete when he spends all his spare time posting AI-generated images of himself. Emile Jun 19 #7
"He shouldn't worry. He'll be remembered as far worse." Martin68 Jun 19 #8
Trump teeters between jealousy of Obama and JFK. LisaM Jun 19 #9
Nailed it malaise Jun 19 #10
Everybody loves Obama. He is welcomed all leftyladyfrommo Jun 19 #11
Fat Donnie will build a "library" twice the height of Obama's. LastLiberal in PalmSprings Jun 19 #19
He will get Mexico to pay for it RainCaster Jun 19 #38
I wish SNL would do a skit on TSF's jealousy.. Trueblue Texan Jun 19 #12
Barack and Michelle Obama spent the last 10 years planning and designing this memorial FakeNoose Jun 19 #13
The Obama Center is a gift to the future, to our kids, to our potential and to hope! mahina Jun 19 #32
Poor little Donnie Dave Id Jun 19 #15
Chicago, You've come full circle! BidenRocks Jun 19 #16
One twisted fuck orangecrush Jun 19 #17
The Veruca Salt president is bigly mad themaguffin Jun 19 #18
Trump VS Obama maliaSmith Jun 19 #20
You called Trump 'Mr'? GenThePerservering Jun 19 #48
... orangecrush Jun 19 #21
He could still become a Senator. Wednesdays Jun 19 #22
Good for them orangecrush Jun 19 #23
I just love this. marble falls Jun 19 #36
Thanks orangecrush Jun 19 #41
That was delightful. Thank you. nt. druidity33 Jun 19 #39
You're welcome orangecrush Jun 19 #40
How quickly soars turns into snores for the 'ol Nodfather Blue Owl Jun 19 #24
Who here besides me knows that Trump had no clue about who Herbert Hoover was or the significance of that reference is Betty Boom Jun 19 #25
I'll bet the Trump's weren't even aware of any Depression. Haggard Celine Jun 19 #43
ding ding ding mike_c Jun 19 #26
I fear one of the 🍊🐖💩's magaloons might try to damage the facility. kimbutgar Jun 19 #27
I believe this is why trump wants the Figarosmom Jun 19 #28
Lol 😆 i read envoy Faux pas Jun 19 #29
I think that T💩p attacked Iran to distract from the EPSTEIN FILES. OMGWTF Jun 19 #30
Why was HWBush invited??????? popsdenver Jun 19 #31
It was GW that was invited........ MyOwnPeace Jun 19 #33
The Obamas, especially Michele, seem to have a nice and friendly relationship GWB. marble falls Jun 19 #35
Michelle Obama & Laura Bush work together on charitable endeavors. Dulcinea Jun 20 #51
Yea popsdenver Jun 20 #53
GHWB would have had to attend by Ouija board. marble falls Jun 19 #34
I think inviting W. (not H.W., who died in 2018) was inevitable. ShazzieB Jun 20 #49
If Donald John was even half the man he ought to be, he could console Vogon_Glory Jun 19 #37
They came up with "Trump Derangement Syndrome" to project Trump's ODS. Beartracks Jun 19 #42
I'm 100% sold on the Salon article description of events oasis Jun 19 #45
"which Trump was pointedly not invited to" Grokenstein Jun 19 #46
His invitation should show up at 1600 Pennsylvania next week. marble falls Jun 19 #47
Mad King Earwig will have to respond by putting his name on something Blumancru Jun 20 #50
Most popular thing at Trump's own library will be the bathrooms. cstanleytech Jun 20 #52

PufPuf23

(10,036 posts)
44. POTUS Obama's approval would have been higher and Trump's approval
Fri Jun 19, 2026, 09:59 PM
Jun 19

lower if there were not so many bigots in the USA.

Swede

(40,541 posts)
2. Send in the clown.
Fri Jun 19, 2026, 09:37 AM
Jun 19

Reflections
Follow my cartoons and accompanying written commentary on Substack: nickanderson.substack.com

For @contrariannews.org

Nick Anderson - political cartoonist (@andertoon.bsky.social) 2026-06-18T15:16:19.762Z

NNadir

(38,874 posts)
4. I'm definitely enjoying the contrast between love for Obama and contempt for the pedophile.
Fri Jun 19, 2026, 10:10 AM
Jun 19

mnhtnbb

(33,606 posts)
6. How many White House walls are being cleaned of ketchup today, would you guess?
Fri Jun 19, 2026, 10:21 AM
Jun 19

Maybe the pedo orange a$$hole could go fall in the algae infested no longer reflecting pool and drown himself. We could all promise him a great send off party!

Emile

(44,134 posts)
7. It's hard for trump to compete when he spends all his spare time posting AI-generated images of himself.
Fri Jun 19, 2026, 10:28 AM
Jun 19

LisaM

(29,710 posts)
9. Trump teeters between jealousy of Obama and JFK.
Fri Jun 19, 2026, 11:07 AM
Jun 19

He is insanely obsessed. It's funny that this occured right after his name got removed from the Kennedy Center.

The Obama Center opening was one of the most joyful occasions I have seen in a while (and CNN started the day with coverage of the Knicks' parade, which was also a happy time).

I mostly watched coverage on MSNOW but switched a few times and what was the most amazing thing was watching the reporters. They acted like rescue dogs off a leash at the dog park, realizing that life can actually be fun. It's like we all forgot that.

Meanwhile Trump is probably fuming that Juneteenth is a Federal holiday and is plotting how to get rid of it.

leftyladyfrommo

(20,052 posts)
11. Everybody loves Obama. He is welcomed all
Fri Jun 19, 2026, 11:20 AM
Jun 19

over the world.

I imagine Trump is just fit to be tied over this gorgeous Library

Trueblue Texan

(4,710 posts)
12. I wish SNL would do a skit on TSF's jealousy..
Fri Jun 19, 2026, 11:26 AM
Jun 19

I could see him with handful of his most desperate d*cklickers sitting around the Oval commenting about Michelle's arms as she trolls him with her speech, making petty criticisms of Obama's dignified basking as the new Obama Presidential Center makes center stage on Juneteenth! They would do a fine job of showing TSFs pettiness and incompetence...not that it's not already smeared in our faces daily.

FakeNoose

(43,062 posts)
13. Barack and Michelle Obama spent the last 10 years planning and designing this memorial
Fri Jun 19, 2026, 11:36 AM
Jun 19

It's a wonderful tribute to his years serving in Illinois and at the White House. They used great care in choosing the spot in South Chicago, near where he first entered the city as a newly hired community organizer. It's where he met, courted and married Michelle, near where they had their first house and their lovely girls were born. So much of his life is wrapped up in this memorial, and it's all there for the people of Chicago (and all of us) to visit, appreciate, and enjoy for ourselves.

Consider this in contrast with Chump's overnight destruction of the Rose Garden and East Wing, with no plan or forethought. His other insane projects around the White House premises and the National Mall speak for themselves. Chump can't plan ahead for 10 days, and the Obamas planned this Library Center for 10 years!

It is a magnificent achievement.

mahina

(20,839 posts)
32. The Obama Center is a gift to the future, to our kids, to our potential and to hope!
Fri Jun 19, 2026, 04:52 PM
Jun 19

It is the best antidote I could imagine to the heartache and darkness trying to prevail. Nope, no you donʻt, shadows, hatred, misery. Out with you. Light and hope prevails!
and love
always love

Stevie

Dave Id

(377 posts)
15. Poor little Donnie
Fri Jun 19, 2026, 11:42 AM
Jun 19

has never gotten over Barrack Obama embarrassing him at the Press Correspondences Dinner. How dare a Black man treat him with so little respect that he doesn't deserve.

BidenRocks

(3,660 posts)
16. Chicago, You've come full circle!
Fri Jun 19, 2026, 11:56 AM
Jun 19

You supported the Obamas and now with their beautiful complex, they are supporting you.

Looking at you Miami!

maliaSmith

(222 posts)
20. Trump VS Obama
Fri Jun 19, 2026, 12:02 PM
Jun 19

Both Trump and his wife are low class scum. She stole Michelle's speeches and tried to palm them off on us as her own. She has no redeeming qualities and will be forgotten quickly, while Michelle will always be thought of as a brilliant woman and First Lady.
Mr. Trump isn't worth my spit. He is something even dogs don't want to shit on due to the stench. I won't say more, due to karma, but you all know and feel the same way I believe. I wish Obama could be president again. I never worried when he and Biden were in office.

Wednesdays

(23,470 posts)
22. He could still become a Senator.
Fri Jun 19, 2026, 12:32 PM
Jun 19

If there's ever an open Senate seat in Illinois, he would win in a heartbeat.

Sadly for us, he and Michelle are enjoying a quiet life outside of politics, and have no intention of returning to it.

Betty Boom

(506 posts)
25. Who here besides me knows that Trump had no clue about who Herbert Hoover was or the significance of that reference is
Fri Jun 19, 2026, 02:31 PM
Jun 19

Until someone explained it to him

Haggard Celine

(18,003 posts)
43. I'll bet the Trump's weren't even aware of any Depression.
Fri Jun 19, 2026, 09:53 PM
Jun 19

Maybe they were aware because of all the tenants they had to evict during that time. But Trump was born in the 40s, so he was insulated from that. He's been insulated from a lot of things in life.

kimbutgar

(27,723 posts)
27. I fear one of the 🍊🐖💩's magaloons might try to damage the facility.
Fri Jun 19, 2026, 02:48 PM
Jun 19

I hope they have a good surveillance and guards at the center.

I can see the orange DICKtator verbally attacking the center in one of his deranged rallies.

He must have been seething seeing all the celebrities, artists and past presidents !

Figarosmom

(14,759 posts)
28. I believe this is why trump wants the
Fri Jun 19, 2026, 03:28 PM
Jun 19

Correspondence Dinner to be held. I think he thinks he has some good material to put down President Obama snd try to ruin his reputation. As mad as he was (about Obama hitting him at his Correspondence Dinner )and as pig headed as he is I'm sure he hired writers to come up with what he thinks is "good" material. I'm sure it'll be cheap shots and ineffective.

OMGWTF

(5,281 posts)
30. I think that T💩p attacked Iran to distract from the EPSTEIN FILES.
Fri Jun 19, 2026, 03:34 PM
Jun 19

Now he's threatening to attack Cuba to distract from the Iran shitshow.

ETTD

popsdenver

(2,825 posts)
31. Why was HWBush invited???????
Fri Jun 19, 2026, 04:21 PM
Jun 19

It was HIS CABAL, headed by Cheney/Rumsfeld, that most recently provided the momentum for where we are today.....

MyOwnPeace

(17,677 posts)
33. It was GW that was invited........
Fri Jun 19, 2026, 05:25 PM
Jun 19

And I would guess he was invited because President Obama respects the office and understands the dynamics and intricacies of what the office means. If you look back at so many times when these 2 men - Bush & Obama - have been seen in public, there seems to be a genuine respect for each other - and it has also been noted that the 2 former First Ladies get along quite well too.
Contrast all of that with the current White House occupants!
Hell, they don’t even get along with each other!

Dulcinea

(10,477 posts)
51. Michelle Obama & Laura Bush work together on charitable endeavors.
Sat Jun 20, 2026, 08:07 AM
Jun 20

They've gotten to be friends from what I've read. Of course the Bushes would be invited.

popsdenver

(2,825 posts)
53. Yea
Sat Jun 20, 2026, 02:47 PM
Jun 20

but W stood back, with his drug/alcohol addled brain and allowed Cheney/Rumsfeld to lay the groundwork for the Republican Party to Trash America.....BIG TIME..........

Dems still trying to "take the high road"

ShazzieB

(23,083 posts)
49. I think inviting W. (not H.W., who died in 2018) was inevitable.
Sat Jun 20, 2026, 07:50 AM
Jun 20

He's one of the 4 living ex-presidents, after all; I think it would have looked a little weird to leave him out, especially as he's the only Republican of the 4.

I do love that Schlump was not invited. I'm sure he wouldn't have wanted to be at an event where the guy he hates worse that anyone else on the planet was the undisputed star anyway. If he's sulking over not being able to deliberately snub the event (which wouldn't surprise me), so much the better!

Vogon_Glory

(10,430 posts)
37. If Donald John was even half the man he ought to be, he could console
Fri Jun 19, 2026, 06:09 PM
Jun 19

himself by remembering that he built more golf courses than Barrack Obama did.

But he’s not.

Grokenstein

(6,464 posts)
46. "which Trump was pointedly not invited to"
Fri Jun 19, 2026, 10:33 PM
Jun 19

Why invite a screechy brat who hasn't been potty-trained to a grown-ups party?

Blumancru

(385 posts)
50. Mad King Earwig will have to respond by putting his name on something
Sat Jun 20, 2026, 07:59 AM
Jun 20

Maybe an Air Force base or something.

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