Former US President Barack Obama has revealed that he deliberately refrains from speaking out frequently on contemporary politics to avoid being perceived as a "commentator" like Jon Stewart. In a recent profile in the New Yorker, Obama explained his conscious decision to limit his involvement in political debate since leaving office in 2017.
Obama's Perspective on Political Commentary
"For me to function like Jon Stewart, even once a week, just going off, just ripping what was happening — which, by the way, I’m glad Jon’s doing it — then I’m not a political leader, I’m a commentator," Obama stated. He added that the current media environment makes it difficult for people to see the full extent of his activities, leading to questions about why he doesn't speak out daily except during critical elections or campaigns.
Obama has rarely commented on his successors since leaving the White House, with exceptions for special occasions such as midterm elections. His remarks underscore a deliberate strategy to maintain his role as a former political leader rather than a regular media pundit.
Higher Ground Productions Update
In the same interview, Obama disclosed that he dedicates only about 10 percent of his time to his production company, Higher Ground. The company, founded with former First Lady Michelle Obama in 2018, recently ended its partnership with Netflix and is transitioning to an independent operation.
"We are in the process now of transitioning to a more independent [company] where we can work with a bunch of different studios," Obama told reporters in Philadelphia. He expressed gratitude for the launch with Netflix, which produced several notable projects.
Higher Ground's portfolio includes the Oscar-nominated films Rustin, American Symphony, and Crip Camp, as well as the Oscar- and Emmy-winning documentary American Factory. Other productions include the limited series Bodkin, the NBA docu-series Starting Five, and the 2021 Kevin Hart-led family comedy Fatherhood.
Expansion into Broadway
Recently, Higher Ground expanded beyond film and television. The Obamas are co-producers for the Broadway revival of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play Proof, which opened on April 16. The production stars Ayo Edebiri, Don Cheadle, Jin Ha, and Samira Wiley, with direction by Tony-winner Thomas Kail.
"To bring this landmark play back to Broadway with Ayo, Don, Tommy, and Mike at the helm is an extraordinary privilege, and we couldn’t be more proud to be part of this production," the Obamas said in a statement. The play is scheduled for a 16-week run.
Obama's comments highlight his careful navigation of post-presidential life, balancing public engagement with a desire to remain a respected political figure rather than a daily commentator.
