President Trump made a surprise appearance on second lady Usha Vance's children's podcast, Storytime with the Second Lady, where he read a picture book about U.S. presidents and offered freewheeling, off-the-cuff remarks about his predecessors and life in the White House.
In the pre-recorded episode released Friday, Trump read Presidents Play!, a children's book published by the White House Historical Association that depicts former presidents engaged in sports and recreational activities on the White House grounds. The appearance marked an unusual foray into children's programming for the president, who used the platform to deliver a mix of history lessons, personal anecdotes, and political jabs.
When Vance asked whether he finds time for recreational reading amid a demanding presidential schedule, Trump replied, “I usually read stories about myself.” He noted that his reading is largely limited to newspapers and coverage of his own activities.
As he flipped through the book, Trump offered candid assessments of several former presidents. He described Ronald Reagan as a “high-quality person” and called Lyndon B. Johnson a “tough cookie.” He ranked John F. Kennedy as “the second-most good-looking president,” declining to name who he thought was first.
Trump touched on Richard Nixon's legacy, remarking that Nixon “got himself into trouble, I guess,” an apparent nod to the Watergate scandal that forced Nixon to resign. He also joked about Herbert Hoover's legacy, saying that Hoover's namesake game, Hoover Ball, “worked out better for him than the economy,” referencing the Great Depression that marked Hoover's presidency.
Trump did not miss the chance to needle Barack Obama. When the book showed Obama playing basketball, Trump referred to him as “Barack Hussein Obama” and acknowledged his basketball skills but claimed Obama's preferred sport is golf. “He won't be in the Master's anytime soon,” Trump quipped.
In contrast, Trump was more complimentary toward Bill Clinton, who was depicted jogging. “I like him a lot,” Trump said, though he added, “I don't think I'll ever do that,” after reading about Clinton having a track built on the White House grounds.
The president also made a self-deprecating remark about his own weight while discussing William H. Taft, whom he called “our heaviest president.” Trump joked, “I have to be careful because I don't want to supersede his record.”
Trump used the podcast appearance to promote a major construction project on the White House complex. While looking at an illustration of John Quincy Adams swimming in Tiber Creek, Trump said, “I think we're building a big beautiful ballroom on top of it.”
The appearance comes as Trump continues to engage in unconventional media formats, including children's programming, while his administration faces scrutiny over a range of issues. The podcast also highlights the role of second lady Usha Vance, who has used her platform to promote literacy and family-friendly content.
