Former U.S. President Donald Trump made a surprise appearance on a podcast hosted by Kassidy Hill, the wife of former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson. During the July 3rd broadcast, which aimed to promote children’s reading habits ahead of Independence Day, Trump offered candid assessments of past U.S. presidents.
Trump’s Presidential Rankings and Opinions
When asked if he had time to read books, Trump responded, “Ultimately, you end up reading newspapers. Mostly articles about me.” He then proceeded to share his evaluations of several former presidents, drawing from a book of presidential portraits.
He described Lyndon B. Johnson as a “tough character” and Ronald Reagan as a “smart guy.” Regarding John F. Kennedy, Trump stated he was the “second most handsome president,” but did not specify who was the most handsome. Richard Nixon, who resigned due to the Watergate scandal, was characterized by Trump as someone who “got himself into trouble.”
Barack Obama, whom Trump has frequently criticized, was referred to as “Barack Hussein Obama” and Trump questioned whether he was a “smart farmer,” while also noting that Obama’s favorite sport was golf.
Of Bill Clinton, who was known to enjoy jogging while in office, Trump remarked, “I don’t think I could do that,” but added, “I really like him.”
Reflections on Presidential Appearances and Activities
Looking at a picture of Abraham Lincoln on horseback, Trump expressed admiration, saying, “He’s really cool, I’d like to ride a horse too.” However, he quickly added a caveat: “I’ve seen many people fall off horses. Maybe I could ride a very slow, lazy, cool old horse.”
Observing Gerald Ford swimming, Trump commented, “It’s been a long time since I wore a swimsuit,” and mused, “I might look good in a swimsuit.”
Regarding William Howard Taft, who was known for his large physique, Trump noted, “He liked hot dogs and was really big.” He also cautioned, “You have to be careful not to exceed his record,” and advised the audience, “Everyone should also take care of their physical condition.”
