President Trump Turns Children’s Book Reading Into Light‑Hearted Roast

On July 4, 2026, President Donald Trump joined the White House’s “Storytime with the Second Lady” podcast, hosted by Second Lady Usha Vance, to read the 24‑page picture book “Presidents Play!”. The book, published by the White House Historical Society in 2020, offers illustrated scenes of U.S. presidents enjoying sports, exercise, and leisure on the grounds of the historic residence.

During the Oval Office session, Trump introduced the space as “the most powerful piece of real estate probably in the world.” As he flipped through the pages, he highlighted presidents such as Ronald Reagan, who was described as being “in very good shape,” and Lyndon Johnson, noted for his toughness and political skill. Trump shared a personal quip about his own reading habits, saying he usually reads “mostly newspapers” and “stories about myself.”

The former president also offered praise and jokes about modern leaders. He admired Bill Clinton’s dedication to a special jogging track, noting, “I didn’t even know that until recently,” before adding, “I like Bill Clinton a lot. I still do.” When the book mentioned Barack Obama’s favorite sport as basketball, Trump expressed doubt, saying, “I tend to doubt it,” and reminded viewers that Obama’s preferred sport is golf, noting, “He won’t be in the Masters anytime soon.”

Trump’s humor turned self‑deprecating when he discussed former President William Taft’s size, remarking that Taft remains the heaviest president and warning, “I don’t want to supersede his record.” He also joked about Gerald Ford’s White House swimming pool, saying, “I haven’t had a bathing suit in a long time,” and then mused about his own appearance, calling himself “very handsome” but questioning whether he looks good in a bathing suit.

Beyond the jokes, Trump linked the historical illustrations to his own administration, referencing proposals such as a new White House ballroom and crime‑reduction efforts. His commentary blended light humor with subtle promotion of his current initiatives, demonstrating how presidential stories can be presented in a family‑friendly format while still reflecting contemporary political narratives.

The episode, now part of a podcast series that has attracted nearly 6,000 YouTube subscribers, illustrates how the White House is using creative media to engage young audiences and the public with presidential history, balancing education with entertainment.