Former President Barack Obama said he has transitioned from “player to coach” since leaving office, seeking to encourage the next generation of leaders while maintaining a quieter life with his family.
Obama told ABC News in a segment that aired Wednesday that his goal after leaving office was to mimic George Washington by serving as president and then “going back home.”
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“My goal was to, you know, look at the example of our first president, George Washington,” he said. “I don’t have a horse to get on, but he kind of said, ‘Alright, I’ve done my stint, and now I’m going back home.’”
Since leaving office, Obama has dipped in and out of politics.
The former president has campaigned with Democratic candidates and pushed back on the current administration, including condemning President Donald Trump for reposting a video portraying him and former first lady Michelle Obama as apes.
Most recently, Barack Obama criticized the Trump administration’s peace deal to end the Iran war, arguing it’s “doubtful” the agreement will differ significantly from the 2015 nuclear deal.
While the former president said he intended to leave the political arena, during his final news conference as president in 2017, Obama said he would speak out when “core values” are at stake, and it would “merit him speaking out.”
When asked how Obama finds a balance between being quiet and vocal, the former president said “you pick and choose your spots,” adding that he doesn’t suggest he’s “done it perfectly.”
In the interview, Obama discussed being pulled in two different directions, saying the former first lady would prefer a “quieter life” for the couple, while others want him to get more involved.
“I think Michelle would very much prefer a quieter life for us, and on the other hand, there have been some folks who would like to see me out every day, right, banging the drum,” the former president said.
Michelle Obama has largely remained quiet about politics since the conclusion of her husband’s administration, opting to skip high-profile events, including Trump’s 2025 inauguration.
In November 2025, Michelle Obama released The Look, a book documenting her style evolution. While on her book tour, she appeared on podcasts and held events in major cities, where she made headlines for saying the country was “not ready for a woman” to be president
The former first lady made the comment while shutting down calls for her to run for president, saying a White House bid from her is “never going to happen” and adding that the country isn’t ready for a woman president.
The Obamas’ appearance on Good Morning America is part of a media tour ahead of the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, Illinois, on Friday.
Throughout the interview, they opened up about their legacy and how they want the Barack Obama Foundation to inspire the next generation.
Obama said he hopes the center will be part of his efforts of transition from “player to coach” in his post-presidency.
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“What I’ve tried to do is to move from player to coach,” he said. “Part of our foundation’s mission is how do we encourage the next generation of leadership?”
The Obamas’ full interview will be available on Disney+ and Hulu on Thursday.
