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BumRushDaShow

(174,564 posts) Fri Jun 19, 2026, 09:18 AM Jun 19

Obama says U.S. may be 'worse off' now than before Iran war

Source: NBC News

June 19, 2026, 7:50 AM EDT

Former President Barack Obama said it seems like the United States has either returned to the status quo or is “worse off” now than before President Donald Trump launched the war on Iran in February.

“We’ve now fought a war, spent billions and billions of dollars, you know, put enormous strain on our military. A lot of people have died. And it feels like we’re back where we were before we started the war, except maybe a little bit worse off,” Obama said in an interview with “TODAY” co-host Craig Melvin that aired Friday.

Obama made the remarks during a conversation with Melvin ahead of the public opening of the Obama Presidential Center, when asked for his reaction to the memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran.

“I am very happy to see a ceasefire. And I’m hopeful that it holds,” said Obama, who questioned the rationale for the war on Iran.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/obama-us-may-worse-now-iran-war-rcna350733

17 replies

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Highlight:

Obama says U.S. may be 'worse off' now than before Iran war (Original Post) BumRushDaShow Jun 19 OP

Ya think? buzzycrumbhunger Jun 19 #1

I bet a $1000 genxlib Jun 19 #2

Word! Brother Buzz Jun 19 #16

He is too kind Bayard Jun 19 #3

Without a doubt. NH Ethylene Jun 19 #4

Tact is the ability to tell someone to go to hell in such a way that they look forward to the trip. twodogsbarking Jun 19 #5

What's with all the mealymouthed hedging? May? ananda Jun 19 #6

Yes, but I think this is the first time a former president other than Trump has criticized a sitting president. yardwork Jun 19 #8

It's something at least. ananda Jun 19 #11

Obama knows he is out. Need those that are in to speak up. dave99 Jun 19 #12

I agree with you. The fight needs to come from currently elected Democrats. yardwork Jun 19 #13

However, a whisper of criticism by Obama is karynnj Jun 19 #15

He means "before Trump." surfered Jun 19 #7

"May be...?" Martin68 Jun 19 #9

"Maybe"? Perhaps the qualifier is just a politician's habit? pat_k Jun 19 #10

President Obama is correct. J_William_Ryan Jun 19 #14

Trump's surrender to Iran is almost as bad as the job market ck4829 Jun 22 #17

buzzycrumbhunger

(2,570 posts)

1. Ya think?

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Fri Jun 19, 2026, 09:19 AM

Jun 19

*eyeroll*

genxlib

(6,203 posts)

2. I bet a $1000

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Fri Jun 19, 2026, 09:30 AM

Jun 19

That somewhere a MAGA commentator is saying "... a lot of people have died..?? It was like 13"

Proving of course that innocent Iranian deaths were never a consideration for them.

Brother Buzz

(40,764 posts)

16. Word!

Reply to genxlib (Reply #2)

Fri Jun 19, 2026, 04:03 PM

Jun 19

Bayard

(30,950 posts)

3. He is too kind

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Fri Jun 19, 2026, 09:34 AM

Jun 19

NH Ethylene

(31,407 posts)

4. Without a doubt.

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Fri Jun 19, 2026, 09:35 AM

Jun 19

I don't even know how we can get out of this mess.

twodogsbarking

(20,170 posts)

5. Tact is the ability to tell someone to go to hell in such a way that they look forward to the trip.

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Fri Jun 19, 2026, 09:56 AM

Jun 19

Diplomacy is the art of telling people to go to hell in such a way that they ask for directions.

ananda

(36,000 posts)

6. What's with all the mealymouthed hedging? May?

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Fri Jun 19, 2026, 10:07 AM

Jun 19

It definitely is WAY worse off, and trending even worse.

yardwork

(70,399 posts)

8. Yes, but I think this is the first time a former president other than Trump has criticized a sitting president.

Reply to ananda (Reply #6)

Fri Jun 19, 2026, 10:17 AM

Jun 19

The gloves are off.

ananda

(36,000 posts)

11. It's something at least.

Reply to yardwork (Reply #8)

Fri Jun 19, 2026, 12:29 PM

Jun 19

I still think Dems need more fight.

The few real fighers we have can't do it all.

dave99

(815 posts)

12. Obama knows he is out. Need those that are in to speak up.

Reply to ananda (Reply #11)

Fri Jun 19, 2026, 12:48 PM

Jun 19

yardwork

(70,399 posts)

13. I agree with you. The fight needs to come from currently elected Democrats.

Reply to ananda (Reply #11)

Fri Jun 19, 2026, 12:50 PM

Jun 19

Barack Obama and his family don't criticize anybody as a rule. Doing so would have opened them to even more racist accusations than they've endured. His presidency would have been one long dysfunctional argument. That's what his enemies wanted. They didn't get it.

It has to be others who step up.

karynnj

(61,306 posts)

15. However, a whisper of criticism by Obama is

Reply to ananda (Reply #11)

Fri Jun 19, 2026, 03:58 PM

Jun 19

more effective than shouts from others because of who he is and because it takes a lot for him to speak out.

I don't know who others here think the strongest fighters are, but I caution in the past they have rarely been the loudest protestors.