Introduction

On July 3, 2026, President Donald Trump appeared on the podcast hosted by Second Lady Usha Vance, titled “Storytime with the Second Lady.” The episode was presented as a children’s reading program, and Trump was invited to read the White House Historical Association’s picture book “Presidents Play!,” which showcases how past presidents used the White House grounds for recreation.

What Trump Said

While holding the book, Trump departed from its narrative, offering a series of spontaneous comments about the leaders featured. He described Lyndon Johnson as a “tough cookie,” called Ronald Reagan a “high‑quality person,” and praised John F. Kennedy as “the second‑most good‑looking president.” He also remarked on Richard Nixon’s resignation, saying Nixon “got himself into trouble, I guess,” and joked that Herbert Hoover’s invented game “Hoover Ball” “worked out better than the economy.”

Trump’s remarks often turned back to himself. When asked about his reading habits, he replied that he mostly reads newspapers and “usually read stories about myself.” In describing Barack Obama, he called him “Barack Hussein Obama,” doubted his basketball ability, and added that Obama “won’t be in the Masters anytime soon.” He also referenced his own real‑estate interests, noting the extensive ballroom he is building on the White House grounds.

The former president addressed his own physique in several moments. After seeing a picture of Gerald Ford swimming, he said, “I don’t know if I look good in a bathing suit. I haven’t had a bathing suit in a long time.” When discussing William Howard Taft, he called Taft “our heaviest president” and warned, “I have to be careful because I don’t want to supersede his record.” He encouraged the young audience, saying, “For all of you out there watching, keep yourself in good shape.”

Trump also offered brief historical observations. He mused about Abraham Lincoln’s horse riding, suggesting the idea of a “nice old horse that’s extremely slow, lazy.” He imagined a ballroom being built over John Quincy Adams’s swimming pool in the Tiber Creek and commented on the physical activities of presidents like Dwight Eisenhower and Gerald Ford.

Conclusion

The segment illustrated Trump’s habit of steering a scripted appearance toward personal anecdotes and political commentary, even in a format meant for children. While the podcast aimed to inspire young readers, Trump’s off‑script commentary turned the session into a broader showcase of his perspective on past presidents and his own image. The episode concluded with a vague promise to make America “greater than ever before,” underscoring the former president’s continued focus on national ambition even in informal settings.