Donald Trump wears a coal miner’s protective hat while addressing his supporters during a presidential campaign rally at the Charleston Civic Center on May 5 in Charleston, West Virginia. (Ricky Carioti / Washington Post, file)

Donald Trump wears a coal miner’s protective hat while addressing his supporters during a presidential campaign rally at the Charleston Civic Center on May 5 in Charleston, West Virginia. (Ricky Carioti / Washington Post, file)

Obama on Trump’s election win: ‘It’s not a miracle’

By Helena Andrews-Dyer

The Washington Post

In his fourth interview with Rolling Stone magazine’s publisher, Jann Wenner, President Barack Obama reflected on his legacy, Donald Trump’s stunning election win and the road ahead after the White House. The president seemed to be in both a reflective and reactive mood in the interview, conducted in the Oval Office the day after the Nov. 8 election, cautioning against a “sky is falling” attitude toward the next four years.

Most surprising, Obama, who stumped hard for former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, said he wasn’t all that surprised by Trump’s win.

“So I think the odds of Donald Trump winning were always around 20 percent,” he said. “That (doesn’t) seem like a lot, but one out of five is not that unusual. It’s not a miracle.”

The Obamas plan to stay active after leaving the White House, the president said. After catching up on some sleep and taking his wife on a “well-deserved vacation,” Obama said, he plans to write a book and organize his presidential center around training the next generation of political leaders. But, no, Michelle Obama is not running for office – ever. “You can see the incredible resonance she has with the American people. But I joke that she’s too sensible to want to be in politics.”

Throughout the interview, which Wenner had thought the administration might cancel considering the timing and the outcome of the election, the publisher attempts to get the president to wax poetic on how many of his progressive policies will be reversed in the Trump years – his efforts on climate change, the Affordable Care Act. But Obama doesn’t bite.

“Yeah, listen. If you want to persuade me that everything is going to be terrible, then we can talk ourselves into that. Or we can act. It is what it is. There’s been an election. There’s going to be a Trump presidency, and Republicans are going to control Congress. And the question is gonna be, for those like you and I, who care about these issues, do we figure out how to continue to make progress in this environment until we have a chance for the next election,” he said.

Later he re-emphasized that point: “There’s no benefit that’s derived from pulling into a fetal position. We go out there, and we work.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide. (Aaron Kennedy / The Herald)
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Lynnwood
Lynnwood police: 1 suspect in custody, 1 at large after attempted carjacking

Beverly Elementary School went into a precautionary lockdown Thursday afternoon. Numerous officers continue to search for the second suspect.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Candidates announce campaigns for Everett city council seat

Ryan Crowther, founder of the Everett Music Initiative, will challenge incumbent Paula Rhyne for the District 2 seat.

Lynnwood City Council Vice President Julieta Crosby speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood picks top eight candidates to replace former council VP

The City Council will make its final decision Feb. 20 after interview process.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.