Barack Obamahas stated that he tends to refrain from commenting on current political issues more frequently because he doesn’t wish to becomea “commentator” similar to Jon Stewart.
The former president has seldom commented on his successors since departing from office in 2017, except during specific events likemidterms.
In a new feature in theNew Yorker, Obama stated that he had made a deliberate choice to avoid active participation in political discussions.
“To function like Jon Stewart, even once a week, just going off and tearing into what was happening — which, by the way, I’m happy Jon is doing — then I’m not a political leader, I’m a commentator,” said Obama.
He continued, “The media landscape is so complex that people aren’t even aware of everything I’m involved in, correct? And, I believe, when they do see me, the reaction is something like, ‘Why isn’t he doing that every day instead of just during a midterm election, or during a referendum campaign about gerrymandering, or something like that?'”
In other parts of the interview, Obama shared that he dedicates roughly 10 percent of his time to his production company, Higher Ground.
Last month, He stated that the company is shifting to operate independently following the conclusion of their agreement with Netflix.
Theformer president and First Lady Michelle ObamaEstablished the company in 2018 after securing a partnership with the streaming service. This contract was subsequently expanded in 2024 into a long-term first-look agreement covering all of their film and television productions.
During that period, Higher Ground released a number of films, including the2023 apocalyptic thriller Leave the World Behindfeaturing Julia Roberts and Ethan Hawke.
Obama said to reporters in Philadelphia that he and Michelle were “very thankful” for the debut on Netflix, mentioning that they are currently “in the process of moving towards a more self-reliant company where we can collaborate with various studios.”
Higher Ground has also produced the films that were nominated for an Academy AwardRustin, American Symphony and Crip Camp, as well as the Oscar and Emmy award-winning documentaryAmerican Factory. Other significant productions include the limited seriesBodkin, the NBA docu-series Starting Fiveand the 2021 family comedy starring Kevin HartFatherhood.
Recently, Higher Ground has broadened its focus beyond film and television. The Obamas serve as co-producers for the Broadway revival of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play.Proof, which debuted on April 16 featuring Ayo Edebiri, Don Cheadle,Pachinko’s Jin Ha and The Color of the New Blackstar, Samira Wiley. The 16-week engagement is directed by Tony Award winner Thomas Kail, who also served as producer along with Mike Bosner and the Obamas.
“To revive this significant play on Broadway with Ayo, Don, Tommy, and Mike leading the way is a remarkable honor, and we are incredibly proud to be involved in this production,” the Obamas stated in a previous announcement.
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