Obama Drops Brutal Truth on Trump’s Obsession: “I Have a Suite in His Head”

Former President Barack Obama has finally addressed Donald Trump’s long running fixation with him, and his take is pretty sharp. Trump has spent years publicly criticizing Obama, pinning all kinds of issues on him, from policy problems to more recent gripes like the state of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Now Obama is clapping back in his own calm but pointed way.

It is no secret that Trump has been taking shots at Obama for over a decade. He often refers to him by his full name, Barack Hussein Obama, and blames him for everything under the sun.

Things heated up again earlier this year when a video from Trump’s social media account showed a racist depiction of Barack and Michelle Obama as apes. The Reflecting Pool situation brought Obama back into the conversation too. Trump has complained about vandalism there and pointed fingers at Obama instead of taking any responsibility himself.

When asked about the timeline and costs for fixing the pool, Trump said, “Barack Hussein Obama. Have you ever heard of him?” He claimed Obama spent two years and over a hundred million dollars trying to fix it, referencing the actual thirty four million dollar renovation that wrapped up in 2012. Trump insisted it was never even opened properly after that.

Obama has mostly stayed above the fray when it comes to responding to Trump, but he broke his silence during a recent appearance on the podcast All the Smoke with former NBA player Matt Barnes. Barnes noted how fascinated Trump seems with Obama and his family. Without naming Trump directly, it was obvious who they were discussing.

Barnes praised Obama for handling all the negativity and racism with class, then asked if he ever just wants to curse the guy out sometimes. Obama replied that people should ask Trump himself what it is all about. When Barnes mentioned the obsession, Obama jumped in with a laugh. “The obsession. I obviously have a room in his head, a suite in his head.”

He joked that he is living rent free in Trump’s mind and has a whole suite there. Obama added that all these constant references say more about Trump than about any real political differences.

Looking back on his own time in office, Obama pointed out that he barely thought about his predecessor George W. Bush once he took over. “They are gone,” he said. “I have got work to do.” He found it strange that someone would spend so much energy worrying about what the last guy is doing instead of focusing on the American people and the job at hand. That kind of distraction, he suggested, shows a lack of focus on what really matters.

What do you think about this back and forth? Feel free to share your thoughts below.