What did Trump think about Obama before Trump decided to run for President?
BuzzFeed
reports that the former reality star praised Obama in his 2009 book,
Think Like a Champion. Trump wrote that he felt what Obama “has done is amazing” in becoming the first African American president, adding, “the fact that he accomplished what he has—in one year and against great odds—is truly phenomenal.”
Trump said he believed Obama had “the mark of a strong leader” with an understanding of the economy. He wrote:
As of October of 2008, the U.S. government reported a $237 billion deficit. The good news is that Obama seems to be well aware of the situation. His comments have led me to believe that he understands how the economy works on a comprehensive level. He has also surrounded himself with very competent people, and that’s the mark of a strong leader. I have confidence he will do his best, and we have someone who is serious about resolving the problems we have and will be facing in the future.
In April of 2009, Trump was still giving Obama high marks. He said during an
interview with CNN’s Larry King that he believed “the world looks at us differently than they used to” because of Obama.
The businessman noted he did not agree with everything Obama was doing, but said, “I do agree with what they’re doing with the banks” and other aspects of the financial crisis.
Trump also gave his assessment of Barack Obama the man, stating, “Well, I think he’s sort of a guy that just has a wonderful personality, a good speaker, somebody that people trust. And I also think that the comparison with his predecessor is so different — it’s so huge that it really has made a great impact on people.”
Overall, “I think he’s doing a really good job… He’s totally a champion,” Trump told King.