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Barack Obama is getting candid about several topics with Hasan Minhaj, including how his famous end-of-year lists which allegedly reveal the former president's favorite books, movies and songs of the year are actually curated.

The former president, 61, sat down with the comedian for a one-on-one interview where he was subjected to Minhaj's line of questioning, which involved an intense interrogation right out of the gate.

I need you to look me in the eyes and be honest with me," Minhaj, 37, said at the beginning of the interview. "Mr. President, when you do your end-of-the-year lists, do you really read all those books, watch all those shows and listen to all those songs?

Obama immediately replied, I do.

When the comedian expressed doubt, Obama explained, People believe the books and the movies, but the playlists, they somehow think... and this is somehow coming from young people like you. Somehow yall think you invented rock and roll. You invented hip-hop.

And so the fact that my lists are, you know, pretty incredible, people seem to think, 'Well he must have had some 20-year-old intern who was figuring out this latest cut.' No man, its on my iPad right now, he continued.

Minhaj dubiously asked if the song Life is Good by SiR featuring ScribzRiley was on his iPad and what the plotline was for the book Afterlives by Abdulrazak Gurnah both of which made their way onto his 2022 lists.

Look heres the bottom line of my playlists, and my book lists and my movie lists: I am very scrupulous about making sure this is stuff I actually like, Obama said.

I will confess that there are times on the playlists, on the music playlists, where I will get suggestions because its not like I got time to be listening to music all the time, he admitted. So typically at the end of the year what happens is folks will be like, Man, you need to listen to this. This is good. But unless Im actually listening to it, watching it, reading it, I wont put it on there.

Before letting the topic go, Minhaj quickly asked what would have happened if Obama didn't choose his wife's book, The Light We Carry, as one of his favorite books of 2022. "Well that would be foolish, because we share a bank account," he responded with a laugh.

Minhaj went on to tackle deeper questions, too, including asking Obama if he was depressed amid all the current events: the overturning of Roe v. Wade, book bans, multiple mass shootings and climate change.

There is no way the 'Hope' and the 'Change' guy does not feel depressed," Minhaj said. "You are too smart not to feel depressed. Youre too intelligent.

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Obama responded: First of all, there are times when I do feel depressed because objectively when you see an entire school terrified because a gunman is walking in with weapons of war, if your hearts not breaking then somethings wrong with you. If you think thats normal then you really do need some therapy.

He also explained that climate change was another worry of his with record forest fires, and said there is evidence that were not moving as fast as we need to to fight climate change, but he tries to put things into perspective. Obama added that the key is not to be blind to the genuine challenges and threats that are in front of us but also to think about how far we have come as humanity.

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We can go through some lists of moments that are significantly worse than this, the former president said, listing big events like World War I, World War II and the Great Depression.

"You grew up and in some ways I grew up in this anomalous stretch of time in which even though bad things were happening, for the most part, the trajectory of humanity was things were getting better," Obama told Minhaj. "Were becoming less racist and less sexist and less homophobic and better educated and healthier

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Hasan Minhaj Asks Barack Obama Who Really Curates His End-of ... - PEOPLE

The artist behind Barack Obamas iconic Hope poster is taking his talents to a new portrait of John F. Kennedy in a celebration of democracy.

The U.S. Embassy in Berlin, in coordination with the JFK Library Foundation, commissioned a new portrait of the former president to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Kennedys Ich bin ein Berliner speech in West Berlin that famously affirmed democratic values.

When I was looking for inspiration for the Hope poster for Obama, I looked at a lot of different political images but one of the most compelling was JFKs 1960 campaign poster, said Shepard Fairey, the artist, on Boston Public Radio Thursday. Hes looking, sort of, above the viewer off into the distance with a sense of vision. I wanted to convey something like that. ... One of the images that inspired me to create the Hope poster is now something that Im depicting in my style, and its an honor to do it.

Fairey will unveil the new work at the U.S. Embassy in Berlin on June 26. He says he has great admiration for the Kennedys, a family he got closer to when the Hope poster catapulted his work to international fame.

I've become friends with many of them and admired their activism and their sense of social responsibility over the years, Fairey said.

The Hope image resonated widely, in part, Fairey believes, the portrait projected gravitas and legitimacy I will give myself some credit, he said. Those were important traits for a younger, less experienced candidate to convey.

The main reason it had impact is because Obama himself had an impact, Fairey said. Sometimes the the complexity of an individual, the feelings that they conjure in someone, needs something not as complex to become a symbol, to become the icon, the thing that can be transmitted quickly.

He also attributes his success to luck and the timing of the early viral internet age.

I disseminated it both physically with prints and stickers but also had a free download that was a high-res PDF that could be printed out by anyone, he said.

For Fairey, it took persistence and putting out art that aligned with his values to eventually bring about the career he has now. He unveiled a 75-foot-tall Muhammad Ali mural earlier this year at the YMCA where Ali trained growing up, based off an image taken the day that Ali was indicted for defying the Vietnam War draft. Its a mural that honors his courage and strength of convictions. Another mural, displayed at the New England Aquarium, depicts the endangered right whales.

Im really lucky to be in the position, at this point in my career, to be able to choose things that really align with my philosophy. I, for years, worked as a graphic designer, as a screen printer, doing things that I needed to do that paid the bills.

His new work will continue to show his philosophy. The Director of Art in Embassies a friend of Faireys childhood art teacher had reached out to him to see hed be interested in creating a piece of work to the theme of diplomacy for democracy. I think that it's more essential than ever for democracy to, you know, to be protected and nourished, said Fairey.

The artist said that Kennedy illustrated practical and symbolic ways of maintaining democracy. I think he understood the power of words, said Fairey. I included some handwritten bits of the speech into collage in my painting. But the significance of him actually going there, giving the speech in person ... making sure that it would connect emotionally ... I think that's a big part of his genius.

For Fairey, the bigger picture comes down to continuing to put out a hopeful message and a will to maintain democracy.

I consider myself a patriot, meaning that I want to be proud of the country and I am, often, proud of the country, he said. But being proud is about our country living up to its ideals, manifesting in its own behavior, [and] its best ideas.

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The man behind iconic Obama poster is working on a new portrait - GBH News

Tucker Carlson on Thursday confessed he had initially been excited about former President Barack Obama's 2008 election victory.

The statement, which many people may find surprising coming from the conservative commentator, was made at an event in Oxford, Alabama, in what was Carlson's first public appearance since his departure from Fox News.

On April 24, Fox News Media announced it had parted ways with Carlson. The news made international headlines as his political talk show, Tucker Carlson Tonight, had been a massive ratings success for the network since its premiere in 2016.

Carlson's departure came days after a $787.5 million settlement was reached between Fox News and Dominion. The voting machine company had accused the network's anchors of making false claims about the 2020 presidential election results and baseless claims about Dominion voting machines.

Legal documents that were part of Dominion's lawsuit were released that revealed Carlson had said in private text messages from 2021 that he "passionately" hated Donald Trump.

Carlson spoke little of his Fox News departure at Thursday's event aside from some joking comments made at the beginning of his speech, according to The Anniston Star.

"I'm probably the first unemployed person you ever invited to speak," Carlson said, according to the Alabama newspaper. "It's funny. I rarely give speeches because I'm working, and when I accepted this speech six months ago I didn't realize how much free time I would have."

After expressing his admiration for Rainbow Omega, the faith-based nonprofit organization that hosted the fundraising event, Carlson turned his attention to national politics.

"If you treated your children like the federal government treats our population, they would all be in rehab," he said.

Brian Graves of The Aniston Star wrote that Carlson also claimed he was hopeful about Obama when the former president first arrived to the White House.

"Obama's first term was how we were going to get past race. I didn't vote for the guy, but everybody I knew was excited, and so was I," Carlson said. "We elect some guy I disagree with but we get to the point we stop picking at the scab and move forward as one countrywhy wouldn't I be for that? As a Christian, I was totally for that."

According to the Star, Carlson said his feelings changed during Obama's second term, when "all of a sudden we're not post-racial. All we're going to talk about is race and make each other hate each other on the basis of race."

The former Fox News host then reportedly said no one has ever "attacked me on racial terms" and that he doesn't think "there is widespread racism in the country. I have never seen itnot one time."

International political strategist George Ajjan told Newsweek that "Carlson trivially equates his experience not personally being attacked on the basis of race with an absence of racism in America."

"It's a typical mechanism, like the positive vibes surrounding Obama's election, of convenient self-absolution from acknowledging, not to mention confronting, a systemic cultural problem," Ajjan said.

Earlier this week, media outlets reported on a Carlson text message from 2021 that has been deemed racist by many. Carlson's message, which was also acquired during the discovery process of Dominion Voting Systems' defamation lawsuit against Fox, described watching a video showing at least three "Trump guys" beating an "Antifa kid."

Carlson allegedly wrote in the message that "jumping a guy" is "dishonorable" and "not how white men fight." He also said he found himself "rooting for the mob" against the man being attacked, "hoping they'd hit him harder, kill him," before he expressed regret at having such thoughts.

Robert Schmuhl, a professor emeritus in American studies and journalism at the University of Notre Dame, told Newsweek that for "Tucker Carlson to talk about race as he did in his recent speech just pours gasoline on a fire he started."

Schmuhl continued, "He talks about the Obama years without providing the necessary context that his own commentary at the time contributed to the polarization that helped divide America politically, socially and racially. If anything, we are even more divided today than during the Obama presidency, and Carlson himself deserves some of the blame for the way he discussed race on his program."

Newsweek reached out to Carlson's attorney via email for comment.

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Tucker Carlson Reveals He Was 'Excited' by Obama's Presidency - Newsweek

On World Press Freedom Day Wednesday, a video was posted on Twitter of former President Barack Obama lecturing about "widespread disinformation" and the need for journalists to create "an information environment"to support democracy.

Obama had previously recorded the video for a conference on democracy held by the Columbia Journalism School in late April. In the clip, he touted the importance of journalism in the struggle for democracy and ways to combat disinformation and promote journalistic efforts to defend the truth.

In sharing the video on Twitter, the Obama Foundation wrote, "This World Press Freedom Day, take a look at @BarackObama's remarks at the @ColumbiaJourn Faultlines: Democracy conference, and why the free press is vital for democracy to survive and thrive."

Former President Barack Obama spoke about the importance of journalism in democracy. (Twitter)

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Obama's personal account retweeted the Foundation, saying, "Journalists have always been on the front lines of the struggle for democracy. Thats why we need to keep standing up for the rights of journalists around the world. Grateful that we have @ColumbiaJourn and people like Jelani Cobb taking on this important work."

"Journalists have always been on the frontlines of struggles for democracy, and some of you have the scars to prove it. And thats why its so important to find creative ways to reinvigorate quality journalism. Its why we need to keep standing up for the rights of journalists around the world, many of whom are facing increasing threats and challenges just trying to do their jobs," Obama said in the video.

The former president continued, "I plan to keep shining a light on the biggest challenges that democracy faces, that includes revitalizing our political institutions, coming up with more inclusive and sustainable models of capitalism, creating a stronger democratic culture. But it also means creating an information environment that reinforces rather than erodes our democracy, one in which truth matters, one in which we are able to distinguish between fact and opinion."

Former U.S. President Barack Obama speaks at a Democracy Forum event held by the Obama Foundation at the Javits Center on November 17, 2022 in New York City. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

The former president also espoused the fight for democracy against issues such as "inequality," "polarization" and "widespread disinformation."

"I talk a lot about how democracy is neither inevitable nor self-executing. Citizens like us have to nurture it. We have to tend to it and fight for it. As our circumstances change, we have to be willing to look at ourselves critically and make reforms that can allow democracy not just to survive but to thrive. Thats especially important right now," Obama said.

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He added, "Our democracy has always faced its share of challenges, but increasingly it feels like were at an inflection point. Rising inequality, deepening polarization and widespread disinformation. At the same time, were also trying to adapt to advancements in technology like AI that can profoundly change our world. If we want to preserve our democratic ideals, we need to face these trends head on, and we need all of you to help us do it."

The Obama administration was involved in several seizures of journalists' records and prosecutions of government sources. (The Associated Press)

Though Obama praised journalists for their impact on democracy, his administration was criticized for an "unprecedented" number of prosecutions of government sources as well as seizures of journalists' records.

"In the Obama administration's Washington, government officials are increasingly afraid to talk to the press," former Washington Post executive editor Leonard Downie Jr. wrote in a 2015 report on U.S. press freedoms under the Obama administration. "The administration's war on leaks and other efforts to control information are the most aggressive I've seen since the Nixon administration, when I was one of the editors involved in The Washington Post's investigation of Watergate."

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Despite his history, Obama encouraged journalists in the video to help save democracy.

"So, what you do next, the imagination, the innovation, the determination that youre able to apply in your jobs is going to help determine the fate of our democracy, whether democracy gets stronger or whether it gets weaker, whether people become more divided or can come together to solve some of our biggest problems," Obama said.

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Barack Obama lectures about 'widespread disinformation' on World Press Freedom Day: 'Truth matters' - Fox News

Michelle Obama promoted healthy eating habits when she was first lady. Now, as co-founder of PLEZi Nutrition she aims to give parents healthier food options for their kids. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images hide caption

Michelle Obama promoted healthy eating habits when she was first lady. Now, as co-founder of PLEZi Nutrition she aims to give parents healthier food options for their kids.

Michelle Obama is taking on a new role as the co-founder of PLEZi Nutrition, which aims to market food and beverages for kids that are both tasty and healthy. The company, which announced its launch Wednesday, is starting with a line of low-sugar, nutrient-dense kids' drinks made from a fruit-juice blend.

"I believe there is a way to build a successful company and do right by our kids," Mrs. Obama said during remarks at the Wall Street Journal Future of Everything Festival on Wednesday. "I'm putting some skin in the game to put this theory to the test," she said.

As first lady, Mrs. Obama promoted healthy habits with the Let's Move campaign, which touted nutritious school meals and asked food companies and restaurant chains to commit to lower sugar, lower salt and lower-calorie options.

"I've learned that on this issue, if you want to change the game, you can't just work from the outside. You've got to get inside," Mrs. Obama said. "You've got to find ways to change the food and beverage industry itself," the former first lady said.

The launch comes at a time when about half the young children in the U.S. don't eat fruits and vegetables daily, but most consume an excessive amount of sugary drinks. While pediatricians have long called for limiting sugar and sweetened juices, the majority of families do not follow this advice and some products advertised as healthy may still contain lots of sugar or sweeteners.

To address this gap, there's an increasing focus on changing the food supply to offer healthier versions of the products consumers like. "A wave of investment is now directed toward more nourishing and authentic foods," says Dariush Mozaffarian, a cardiologist and Professor of Nutrition at Tufts University, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy.

"We are not going to solve today's nutrition crisis with yesterday's solutions," Mozaffarian says, pointing to the critical need for innovation and entrepreneurship. "It's terrific to see a leader like first lady Michelle Obama in this innovation movement " Mozafarrian says.

Mrs. Obama will not be the face of the PLEZi Nutrition brand. Her plan is to work behind the scenes to help navigate the mission to drive change in the food supply.

The company's first product is a line of kids' drinks called PLEZi, which has about 75% less sugar compared to top brands of fruit juice, and no added sugar. Fiber is blended into the beverages as well as nutrients such as potassium, magnesium and zinc. The drinks come in flavors including Sour Apple, Blueberry Blast and Orange Smash, and will be sold at retailers including Target and online at Walmart. A four-pack of 8 ounce drinks will cost just under $4.00.

There are plenty of skeptics who will question the benefit of marketing kids' beverages, and Mrs. Obama, as well as her partners and advisors, are well aware of this. "While we know that water or milk is always the best option for kids, and we'll continue to recommend that first, kids who are used to drinking soda or 100% fruit juice daily are not going to easily make that switch," says Dr. Shale Wong, a pediatrician at the University of Colorado School of Medicine who is on the PLEZi advisory committee. The company's approach is to meet parents where they are, at a time when kids consume 53 pounds of added sugar a year.

"Innovation must happen from within the food system if we're going to ultimately make the kind of change that will create healthier environments for kids," says Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association. "We certainly applaud Mrs. Obama and everyone who's trying to innovate in the food system for creating these healthier options for our kids and families," Brown said.

PLEZi Nutrition is incorporated as a Public Benefit Company that will invest 10% of profits back into initiatives that promote kids' health. PBCs are for-profit companies that operate to produce a public benefit in a responsible and sustainable manner.

PLEZi Nutrition will operate with integrity, transparency and accessibility, Obama says. "Ensuring great taste, because kids have to want it. Driving change through innovation and always, always putting children's well-being first."

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Michelle Obama launches a food company aimed at healthier choices for kids - NPR