After finishing two very long terms in the White House and after two other administrations, I think it’s more than decent to finally talk to trivia buffs about former President Barack Obama. Have you ever wondered how much you really know about him?
I mean, we know he loves playing golf, shooting hoops, and wearing dad jeans. We managed to find a couple of fun facts about former President Barack Obama that could have escaped your attention. Well, until now. After going through all these points we listed, let us know how many of these you already know, and how many really stuck with you!
He’s left-handed
Barack Obama is one of the few U.S. presidents who was left-handed, which is, to be fair, quite a surprisingly common trait among modern commanders-in-chief, including Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush.
Even if left-handedness has been linked to creativity and thinking outside the box, it’s also a great conversation starter. During his time in office, he often joked about this specific trait, acknowledging it especially when signing important documents with a flourish from his left hand.
He’s super capable of being his own anger translator
Fans of the well-known comedy show Key & Peele still remember the funny skit featuring an “anger translator” named Luther, who would express the president’s suppressed rage. What’s really funny is that Obama had quite a good comedic timing and self-awareness, so much so that he joined in on the joke during the 2015 White House Correspondents’ Dinner, performing with Keegan-Michael Key.
As it turns out, Obama didn’t need a translator. He was absolutely capable of delivering biting sarcasm, subtle shade, and punchlines with the trademark cool-headed charm. His comedic timing might even rival some late-night hosts.
He eats many almonds
Throughout both his mandates, Obama revealed in a New York Times interview that he had a habit of eating seven almonds every night as a healthy snack. This sparked a short media frenzy, as if there was a mystical, underlying reason behind the number.
Michelle Obama later clarified that it was more of a joke, and that he doesn’t really count them out religiously. However, it’s still a small insight into the disciplined (and quite quirky) lifestyle choices of someone who’s trying to juggle the weight of the free world.
He’s a binge-watcher
Barack Obama is definitely one of us: at least when it comes to late-night Netflix sessions. While he was president, he openly spoke about the shows he enjoys, from “The Wire” to “Breaking Bad.”
Moreover, he and Michelle signed a production deal with Netflix through their company, Higher Ground Productions. The next time you find yourself deep in a streaming spiral, remember that you’re always in presidential company.
He’s a big iPad guy
You might not think of a president as someone who keeps up with the latest tech gadgets. Luckily, Obama was quite an early iPad adopter. He used this device to read news articles, review different briefings, and browse social media.
He’s quite enthusiastic when it comes to the tablet that earned him the reputation of being a “tech-savvy” president. While newer devices may come and go, there’s still something quite cool about imagining the leader of the free world scrolling through The New York Times on his iPad, just like the rest of us on a Sunday morning.
He was a prospective Chevy Volt owner
Obama has been quite vocal about clean energy, as well as reducing America’s dependence on fossil fuels. He even expressed his unwavering interest in buying a Chevy Volt, an electric hybrid vehicle that was quite emblematic of America’s push toward greener technology.
While it’s still unclear if he ever even bought one or not, his support for this kind of innovation definitely helped shine a spotlight on environmentally friendly transportation options. If anything, it showed how he practiced what he preached, or at least attempted to.
He’s the 11th president to be raised without a father
This part of Obama’s personal story should be seen as both moving and significant. He was raised by his mother and grandparents in Hawaii, and his father returned to Kenya when he was only two years old.
That absence definitely left a profound impact on him, so much so that he became a central theme in his memory, “Dreams from My Father.” It definitely shaped his worldview, empathy, as well as his policy perspectives. By sharing his own struggles and vulnerabilities, he also got involved in destigmatizing conversations around fatherhood, identity, and family in politics.
He’s “quite terrible” at March Madness brackets
Every year throughout his presidency, Obama would fill out a March Madness bracket, a super fun tradition that plenty of Americans were excited about. In his own words, he is “terrible” at making predictions.
In fact, even with his undying passion for basketball and the sweet left-handed jump shot, his picks rarely panned out as they should have. It’s oddly comforting, however, that a man who would be used to navigating nuclear negotiations and complex healthcare reforms managed to get humbled by college basketball upsets.
His favorite song of 2015 was Kendrick Lamar’s “How Much a Dollar Cost.”
When Obama shared his music picks during his presidency, it made plenty of headlines. In 2015, he even named Kendrick Lamar’s “How Much a Dollar Cost” as his favorite song of all time, a powerful track with themes of generosity, moral duty, and human connection.
The choice wasn’t only a reflection of good taste in music, but it also showed how deeply he connected with thoughtful, socially conscious art. In some ways, it also signaled his ongoing relevance in pop culture, as well as his ability to bridge generational gaps.
He read Harry Potter books with his eldest daughter
Despite all the difficult demands the presidency implied, Barack Obama still found time for parenting moments that normal people can also relate to. One good example was reading the Harry Potter series with his eldest daughter, Malia.
He has spoken quite fondly of such moments, mentioning how sharing books helped keep their bond strong, even throughout the chaos of public life. It’s still a reminder that before he was the President of the United States, he was, and he is still, a dad. A dad who values good storytelling and quality time.
He must be one of the biggest “Star Trek” fans in White House history
If there’s anything worth mentioning, Barack Obama has never shied away from showing how much of a “Star Trek” fan he actually is. Not only did he reference the series in many of his speeches, but he even greeted Nichelle Nichols, the original Lieutenant Uhura, with a Vulcan salute during a White House visit.
How many of these things do you already know? And what’s even more important, which ones surprised you the most? Whether you are an avid politics buff, a pop culture junkie, or simply someone who appreciates a good presidential fun fact, it’s quite clear that Barack Obama is not just an important historical figure. He’s also a man of many layers, quirks, and relatable habits.
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