Obama Turns ‘Graduate Together’ CNN Commencement into Partisan, Anti-Trump Screed

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May 17, 2020

Former President Barack Obama struck a starkly partisan tone in an address for a star-studded virtual commencement event aired on CNN, staged to replace the canceled college and high school graduation ceremonies in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

Obama took several obvious and implicit shots at Donald Trump during the speech, which was preceded by remarks from Democratic celebrities such LeBron James and Bill Clinton.

“All those adults that you used to think were in charge and knew what they were doing? Turns out that they don’t have all the answers. A lot of them aren’t even asking the right questions.”

President Donald Trump, who is the closest thing to a figure in “charge” of American society, has never claimed to have all the answers related to the coronavirus response.

“Unfortunately, a lot of so-called grown-ups, including some with fancy titles and important jobs, still think that way — which is why things are so screwed up.”

Not the most reflective language for someone who held the very fancy title and important job President Obama was referring to just over three years ago.

“Leave behind all the old ways of thinking that divide us — sexism, racial prejudice, status, greed — and set the world on a different path.”

Nothing like a lesson in humility when it comes to “status” from the former most powerful politician in the country and in the world. Perhaps Obama should’ve reconsidered his pursuit of “status” before running for President.

Obama has already surpassed any of his predecessors in public criticism of his successor- even if he phrases it implicitly- by an order of magnitude. The 44th President, who recently has been accused of involvement in the FBI’s politically motivated misconduct in the 2016 election, was heard in a leaked call claiming that the vindication of former Trump White House National Security Advisor Michael Flynn represented a fundamental threat to the rule of law in America.