Obama tells Prince Harry he had mixed feelings handing power to Trump
Prince Harry interviews Barack Obama: Former US president reveals he had mixed feelings handing power to Trump on BBC Today programme
Barack Obama has revealed he had mixed feelings handing over power to Donald Trump, but added there was a surprising “serenity” following the president’s inauguration.
The former US President was interviewed by Prince Harry on BBCRadio Four’s Today programme on Wednesday.
The young royal, who was guest editing the morning news show, was praised for his interviewing style and “positive” chat with Mr Obama.
Asked how he felt on the day of Mr Trump’s inauguration in January, Mr Obama said he felt thankful for his wife Michelle, who he called a “spectacular, funny, warm person” and a skilled first lady.
He told Prince Harry: “[I had] the sense that there was a completion and that we had done the work which preserved our integrity and left us whole and that we hadn’t fundamentally changed.
“I think was a satisfying feeling which was mixed with all the work that was still undone and concerns about how the country moves forward.
“But overall there was a serenity there, more than I would have expected.”
The ex-president also appeared to lodge a veiled attack against Mr Trump during the interview as he warned against “irresponsible” use of social media to spread misinformation.
Asked about fake news, Mr Obama said those in power should take caution when posting messages which could distort people’s understanding of issues and current affairs.
He did not mention Mr Trump, who is a keen Twitter user, by name.
The Democrat also spoke about how it is “wonderful” he can now control his day and “make my own decisions about how I want to spend my time”.
The prince also quizzed the ex-world leader in a quick fire round, asking him questions like Aretha Franklin or Tina Turner, Rachel or Monica, Titanic or the Bodyguard and Prince Harry or William (“William right now,” the president quipped).
Newly-engaged Harry, 33, also interviewed Prince of Wales for his guest editorship in an edition of the programme which gave airtime to mental health, the charitable sector and the Armed Forces, were “incredibly important topics we all need to think about and need to be discussed.”
Harry was asked about becoming the interviewer rather than being the interviewee, and said: “I haven’t done that many interviews but it was quite fun, especially interviewing president Obama despite the fact he wanted to interview me..
“It’s been a big learning curve but also these are incredibly important topics we all need to think about and need to be discussed.”
He had mixed feelings, handing power to Trump??? What??? There were no "FEELINGS" associated with this transition, Obama's 2 terms in office were over, finished, kaput, sorry Charlie, Donald John Trump was and now is the New President of the United States of America, and you sir, "Handing over Power", as you put it, was a mere formality! The people of the U.S.A. gave President Trump this power, this office, this position, and try as you did, and mighty hard, I might add, to stop it, the people of the U.S. have spoken, and you Mr. Obama should think about getting a hobby, or maybe, just get a clue!!!!
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