Trump Joins Usha Vance’s Podcast to Talk Books and Presidents
President Donald Trump appeared on Usha Vance’s podcast, “Storytime with the Second Lady,” where guests read picture books to children. Trump’s discussion diverged into topics about his predecessors, personal activities, and life in the White House. The podcast episode posted online featured Trump reading “Presidents Play!,” a children’s book with illustrations of presidents engaging in sports and recreation at the White House.
The recording took place in mid-June within the Oval Office, which featured Trump’s gold accents, a stuffed bald eagle, and decorative items like tables made of book stacks and a Lego globe. When Vance inquired about his leisure reading, Trump stated he mainly reads newspapers and stories about himself.
While flipping through the book, Trump commented on various past presidents and shared thoughts on his own initiatives. He described Lyndon Johnson as a “tough cookie” and Ronald Reagan as a “high-quality person” similar to “your father was president.” He joked about John F. Kennedy’s looks, calling him the “second-most good-looking president,” without specifying the most attractive one.
Trump’s remarks on Richard Nixon referenced the Watergate scandal, stating that Nixon “got himself into trouble.” Regarding Herbert Hoover, he humorously noted that Hoover’s invented game “Hoover Ball” fared better than his economic policies. Regarding Barack Obama, Trump doubted his basketball skills and mentioned that Obama’s favorite sport is golf, but jested that he would not participate in the Masters Tournament soon.
A commentary on a picture of Bill Clinton running led Trump to admit he probably wouldn’t jog but expressed fondness for Clinton. Noticing Abraham Lincoln on horseback, Trump entertained the idea of riding horses but emphasized caution, stating he preferred “a nice old horse that’s extremely slow, lazy,” which he would “maybe ride.” Further, a depiction of John Quincy Adams swimming led Trump to talk about constructing a new ballroom above the old creek site.
Relating to presidents’ physical activities, Trump reflected on his own physique. Gerald Ford’s swimming image prompted Trump to wonder how he’d look in a swimsuit. Speaking of William Howard Taft, famous for his size, Trump commented on avoiding breaking Taft’s record and advised viewers to maintain fitness.
Asked about the significance of July 4th, Trump proclaimed the greatness of America and its need for improvement. He expressed intentions to make the nation greater than ever before, encouraging children to celebrate the country’s values.