Former US President Barack Obama recently said he doesn’t want to be like The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart. His statement is not a dig at the host, but rather a reflection on how the decision could portray him in the public eye.
Barack Obama talks about why he doesn’t want to be like Jon Stewart
During an interview with The New Yorker for his new profile, Barack Obama shared that he doesn’t want to be a political commentator like Jon Stewart.
“For me to function like Jon Stewart, even once a week, just going off, just ripping what was happening—which, by the way, I’m glad Jon’s doing it—then I’m not a political leader, I’m a commentator,” Obama explained.
He acknowledged everything wrong that’s been happening in the country and admits to doing his part to educate people. “The media environment is so difficult that people don’t even know all the stuff I am doing, right?” He added, “And, I think, when they do see me, then the sense is ‘Well, why isn’t he doing that every day instead of just during a midterm election, or during a referendum campaign around gerrymandering, or what have you?’”
The former president then reflected on how his role in politics has expanded more than he would have preferred. He has been holding campaigns at different locations through fundraisers. Obama even took the digital route by making video ads and robocalls. He did so to oppose the current president, Donald Trump. At a later point in the interview, he said, “I do think that repairing the damage that’s been done to the international order is going to be even harder than some of the domestic repairs.”
Furthermore, Obama also co-owns a production company, Higher Ground, which he founded with his wife, former First Lady Michelle Obama. The company produces scripted and unscripted films that promote diverse voices through entertainment. It has produced titles such as Worth, Rustin, We the People, and even the Oscar-winning documentary, American Factory.
Currently, Higher Ground has an exclusive partnership with Netflix, which will reportedly end next year. Obama said the company will become independent after the contract expires.
Originally reported by Harsha Panduranga on Mandatory.
