Even liberals are calling Obama out now.
Radio host Charlamagne tha God is questioning former President Barack Obama after Obama suggested President Donald Trump behaves differently in private than he does in public.
During a recent discussion, Charlamagne argued that Obama’s own public interactions with Trump appear to contradict some of his recent criticism.
The comments centered on the widely viewed exchange between Obama and Trump during former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral earlier this year. Video from the event showed the two presidents smiling, laughing, and speaking with one another before the service began. Former First Lady Michelle Obama did not attend the funeral.
Charlamagne said those images left many Americans wondering why political rivals who exchange harsh criticism in public often appear cordial when they meet face-to-face.
“I didn’t understand what he meant,” Charlamagne said. “It goes both ways.”
The radio host noted that Trump has frequently criticized both Barack and Michelle Obama, yet the former president appeared relaxed while speaking with Trump during Carter’s funeral.
“From what everybody saw, neither one of y’all had that same energy when you were face-to-face,” Charlamagne said.
He also pointed to other examples, including former President Joe Biden welcoming Trump back to the White House following the 2024 election, saying those moments create confusion for many voters.
Obama shared those comments during an interview on the “All the Smoke” podcast with former NBA stars Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson. During the conversation, he was asked why President Trump continues to criticize him and frequently brings up his name in public.
Obama joked that he still rents “a suite” in Trump’s head, suggesting he continues to occupy the president’s attention long after leaving office.
Later in the conversation, Obama said Trump’s tone changes during private conversations.
“I believe in conversation,” Obama said. “When he’s standing in front of me—which has happened a couple of times—he doesn’t talk like that because he knows better.”
Charlamagne pushed back on that explanation, arguing it sounded more like a comment designed to generate headlines than one that matched what Americans have witnessed.
“It sounds good on a podcast,” Charlamagne said. “But when you really step back and look at it, people see something different.”
He added that many voters struggle to reconcile the strong rhetoric used during campaigns with the friendly interactions that often occur between political opponents behind the scenes.
This is not the first time Charlamagne has criticized Obama over the issue. Following President Carter’s funeral earlier this year, he also questioned Obama’s friendly interaction with Trump, arguing that public actions should match public rhetoric.
The exchange has renewed debate over whether the relationships between America’s top political figures are as confrontational in private as they often appear during campaign speeches, television interviews, and social media posts.
