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BumRushDaShow

(173,256 posts) Fri Jun 19, 2026, 09:18 AM 4 hrs ago

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

14 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Obama says U.S. may be 'worse off' now than before Iran war (Original Post) BumRushDaShow 4 hrs ago OP

Ya think? buzzycrumbhunger 4 hrs ago #1

I bet a $1000 genxlib 4 hrs ago #2

He is too kind Bayard 4 hrs ago #3

Without a doubt. NH Ethylene 4 hrs ago #4

Tact is the ability to tell someone to go to hell in such a way that they look forward to the trip. twodogsbarking 4 hrs ago #5

What's with all the mealymouthed hedging? May? ananda 3 hrs ago #6

Yes, but I think this is the first time a former president other than Trump has criticized a sitting president. yardwork 3 hrs ago #8

It's something at least. ananda 1 hr ago #11

Obama knows he is out. Need those that are in to speak up. dave99 1 hr ago #12

I agree with you. The fight needs to come from currently elected Democrats. yardwork 1 hr ago #13

He means "before Trump." surfered 3 hrs ago #7

"May be...?" Martin68 3 hrs ago #9

"Maybe"? Perhaps the qualifier is just a politician's habit? pat_k 2 hrs ago #10

President Obama is correct. J_William_Ryan 15 min ago #14

buzzycrumbhunger

(2,350 posts)

1. Ya think?

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Fri Jun 19, 2026, 09:19 AM

4 hrs ago

*eyeroll*

genxlib

(6,182 posts)

2. I bet a $1000

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Fri Jun 19, 2026, 09:30 AM

4 hrs ago

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.

Bayard

(30,609 posts)

3. He is too kind

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Fri Jun 19, 2026, 09:34 AM

4 hrs ago

NH Ethylene

(31,403 posts)

4. Without a doubt.

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Fri Jun 19, 2026, 09:35 AM

4 hrs ago

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

twodogsbarking

(19,736 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

4 hrs ago

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

ananda

(35,734 posts)

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

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Fri Jun 19, 2026, 10:07 AM

3 hrs ago

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

yardwork

(69,877 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

3 hrs ago

The gloves are off.

ananda

(35,734 posts)

11. It's something at least.

Reply to yardwork (Reply #8)

Fri Jun 19, 2026, 12:29 PM

1 hr ago

I still think Dems need more fight.

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

dave99

(430 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

1 hr ago

yardwork

(69,877 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

1 hr ago

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.