During a guest appearance on Second Lady Usha Vance's children's podcast, "Storytime with the Second Lady," former President Donald Trump steered a reading of the book "Presidents Play!" into a commentary on past U.S. leaders and their physical attributes. The book, published by the White House Historical Association, features illustrations of presidents engaged in sports and recreational activities.
When asked if he reads for leisure, Trump stated he primarily reads newspapers, often focusing on stories about himself. While discussing an illustration of former President Bill Clinton jogging, Trump remarked he would likely never do that but added, "I like Bill Clinton a lot, still do."
Trump offered a compliment to John F. Kennedy, calling him "The second-most good-looking president," without identifying whom he considered the most attractive.
Upon seeing an image of William Howard Taft throwing a baseball, Trump noted, "He was a large man. Very large," and added that Taft "loved the hot dogs." Trump acknowledged Taft as the "heaviest president" and stated he must be careful not to surpass that record, suggesting it was "possible" if he allowed it.
The conversation shifted to former President Barack Obama depicted playing basketball. Trump, referring to him as "Barack Hussein Obama," expressed doubt about Obama's basketball skills and joked, "He won't be in the Masters anytime soon."
Reflecting on an illustration of Abraham Lincoln on horseback, Trump expressed a desire to ride horses but noted the risks involved. He suggested a preference for riding a "nice old horse that's extremely slow, lazy."
When the book showed Gerald Ford swimming, Trump commented, "I don't know if I look good in a bathing suit. I haven't had a bathing suit in a long time."
Trump also mused about the possibility of gathering former presidents, including Obama, Joe Biden, and the Bushes, to watch a football game, suggesting it would be a story that "the press would go wild."