President Donald Trump appeared on the "Storytime with the Second Lady" podcast hosted by Usha Vance, where he read a children’s book titled Presidents Play! and shared personal anecdotes about his presidency and predecessors.
Core Facts
Trump revealed he mostly reads articles about himself, joking about his weight compared to former President William Howard Taft, and suggested inviting former presidents to watch football at the White House. The episode, recorded in the Oval Office, was released on June 3.
Deeper Context
During the podcast, Trump discussed his reading habits, stating he primarily reads newspapers and focuses on stories about himself. He also made lighthearted remarks about past presidents, including calling Lyndon Johnson a "tough cookie" and Ronald Reagan a "high-quality person." He humorously noted that Taft, known for being the heaviest U.S. president, loved baseball and hot dogs, adding that he must be careful not to surpass Taft’s record.
Trump also proposed inviting former presidents Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and the Bushes to watch a football game at the White House, calling it a "nice story" that would excite the press. The podcast, which promotes child literacy, has featured other high-profile guests, including Vice President JD Vance and astronauts.
The episode was pre-taped in the Oval Office, which was decorated with gold accents, a stuffed bald eagle, and a Lego globe for the occasion. Trump’s appearance included commentary on various presidents, including John F. Kennedy, whom he called the "second-most good-looking president," and Richard Nixon, who "got himself into trouble."