44 ways to judge the Obama era – CNN International
Those eight years saw the nation grapple with the worst economic disaster since the Great Depression. The country's response to that crisis helped reshape the economy and the makeup of the political system a few times over. And for every day of those eight years, the nation was at war -- on multiple fronts, against multiple groups for multiple purposes.
All of these momentous changes during Obama's presidency had very real effects on people across the country and the globe. And for each of these real-world impacts, there is a number.
The recession cost many people their livelihood. The following years saw many of those same people gain it back. While part of the drop in unemployment came from people leaving the workforce, enough people have jobs now that, statistically speaking, employment has recovered from the darkest days of the economic crisis.
Due in part to a revolution in domestic fossil fuels and massive oil production overseas, oil and gas have been pretty cheap for some of Obama's presidency.
Here's what the situation looks like.
Following years of upward climb and a rally after President-elect Donald Trump's electoral victory, stocks are near record highs.
Here's stock market performance as of January 3, 2017:
Obama's election coincided with Democratic victories across the nation and the strong 2008 showing built on the party's successes in 2006. But as the years went on, the situation virtually reversed itself. Obama will exit office with the Republican Party resurgent on the state and federal levels.
Deaths from opioid-related overdose deaths have been on the rise. More people are dying from overdoses on heroin and prescription pain medicine like oxycodone and fentanyl.
States with legal marijuana or cannabis products have blossomed under Obama. When he took office, recreational marijuana wasn't legal in any state.
The Affordable Care Act set aside funding for states to expand Medicaid -- a government health care program for the poorest Americans. But the process became something of a tussle with state governments and many of their Republican leaders. By the end of Obama's presidency, only the slim majority of states had opted to expand Medicaid.
As the economy recovered and the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, reformed the health care market, more people had health insurance coverage.
Here's the total percentage of people without insurance, according to the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey:
By the end of Obama's presidency, government debt had nearly doubled to about $20 trillion.
Trump said during his campaign that he'd create a special force to deport undocumented immigrants. Although Obama criticized Trump's immigration proposals, he detained and deported millions of men, women and children. Obama's administration deported the people -- 434,015 -- in 2013.
The US has grown more unequal over the past few decades, including the past eight years.
One commonly cited measure is the Gini index. The number ranges from zero to 1, and the higher the Gini index is, the more unequal the distribution of income is.
According to the Census, it was .469 in 2009 and .4817 in 2017.
The bottom half of earners have seen their pre-tax incomes fall while the highest earners have seen a fairly steady rise.
Debate abounds over how and why incomes vary by gender and whether the wage gap can fairly be said to exist. However, men and women, as well as people of different races, all have much different pay.
Following the dips in growth that marked the recession, the economy slowly and steadily rebounded. Many, including Trump, have said observed rates of growth are far too low.
Hate crime incidents in the US neared 6,000 in both 2013 and 2015.
The Obama administration created 11.3 million jobs in eight years, and the economy added jobs for 75 straight months, a record that totals 6 years.
More jobs were created under Obama than under George W. Bush, who only created 2.1 million jobs. However, Obama fell short of Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan, who saw 22.9 million and 15.9 million jobs created, respectively, under their presidencies.
The countries he hosted include:
When he was elected in 2008, 28,223,000 people were receiving food stamps.
In 2016, 44,219,000 people received food stamps -- an increase of nearly 16 million people.
Although Obama has vastly reduced the number of troops in Afghanistan during his time in office, he has failed to withdraw all American troops from the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan.
As of December 2016, there were still 9,800 troops left.
As of January 2017, 45 prisoners remain and 171 have been released under Obama.
Nine of the 171 have been "confirmed" to have returned to terrorist activities, according to a government report.
Obama had pledged to close the controversial center within one year in an executive order he signed shortly after his inauguration in January 2009.
Obama hit the links 333 times since assuming the presidency, according to CBS News' Mark Knoller, the unofficial White House statistician who pledged to track each and every round played by the commander in chief.
While his critics have said this is too many rounds to play, his figure doesn't come close to the amount played by Woodrow Wilson, who is said to have played 1,200 rounds while President.
In 2015, the median was $56,516, which was a 5.2% increase from 2014. This was also the first increase in median income since 2007, before the economic crash.
In December 2016, the index was a high 113.7 -- a stark difference to when fell as low as 25 during the recession, when Obama took office.
The poverty rate in the United States in 2015 was 13.5%. This is down 1.2 percentage points from 14.8% in 2014. In 2015, there were 43.1 million people in poverty, 3.5 million fewer than in 2014.
The birth rate fell to 59.8 births per 1,000 women in 2016 under Obama.
The price of milk decreased under Obama from $3.58/gallon when he took office in January 2009 to $3.28/gallon as of November 2016.
CNN's Kevin Liptak, a White House reporter, has kept a running tally of Obama's acts of clemency -- the president's decisions to pardon or commute criminal sentences.
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44 ways to judge the Obama era - CNN International
- When the Obama Presidential Center opens next year, it will be a hub for change a place for people from all over the world to come together, get... - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Amy Sherald on her portraiture, her subjects' gaze, and the impact of painting Michelle Obama's portrait - CBS News - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- 'The View': Whoopi Is Shocked to Learn About Obama's Tan-Suitgate After Sunny Hostin Longs to Return to Those Days - TheWrap - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Obama endorses Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey governor's race in move to boost Democrats in key elections - CBS News - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Oscar-Winning Director Ben Proudfoot Talks Historical Significance Of The Eyes Of Ghana, Scoring Doc At Abbey Road Studios & Why Project Was A... - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Obama and Oprah Agree: This Is the Secret to Making Big Life Transitions - Inc.com - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Obama Imagines 'Mind-Boggling' Fox News Coverage If He Did What Trump Is Doing - HuffPost - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Barack Obama Steps Up To Boost Democratic Party With Big Endorsements For Virginia, New Jersey Governor Race - Black Enterprise - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Edward Keegan: The Obama Presidential Center promises to be a very un-Chicago building - Chicago Tribune - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Who is Judge Chuang, the Obama appointee assigned to John Bolton's case? - Fox News - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- University of Alabama student earns Obama Foundation's Voyager Scholarship - The Tuscaloosa News - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Obama, aiming to boost Democrats in New Jersey and Virginia, endorses Sherrill and Spanberger - AP News - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama Brings Her Voice And Style to Brooklyn - BKReader - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Barack and Michelle Obama spark backlash after details about recent trip come to light here's what's happening - The Cool Down - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- A Video Of Obama Exposing How He Thinks MAGA Would React If He Sent Troops To Red States Is Going Viral, And It's A Startling Reminder Of The Double... - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Sherrill pulls out all stops with Obama endorsement, star-studded New Jersey campaign push as race tightens - Fox News - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Obama, aiming to boost Democrats in New Jersey and Virginia, endorses Sherrill and Spanberger - Sun Sentinel - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama bringing new live podcast to Brooklyn with Tracee Ellis Ross - Yahoo News New Zealand - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Michael Steele urges George W. Bush to join Obama in publicly condemning Trump - MSNBC News - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Higher Ground to Launch "IMO: The Look" Podcast Series With Michelle Obama on November 5, Featuring Live Events Alongside Book Release -... - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Marc Maron ends his podcast with final guest Barack Obama after 16 years and nearly 1,700 episodes - NBC News - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Depredations of Congressional Authority Dominate, from Obama to Trump - American Enterprise Institute - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Spanberger campaign using Obama to get Trump into the Virginia governor race - Augusta Free Press - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama bringing new live podcast to Brooklyn with Tracee Ellis Ross - New York Daily News - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Author and Former Obama Speechwriter Sarah Hurwitz Headlines NCJW 'Women of Vision' Event - thejewishnews.com - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Obama rebukes Trumps use of National Guard in cities: inherently corrupting - The Hill - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Democracy is on the ballot, Obama says, urging Californians to pass Prop. 50 in new ad - Los Angeles Times - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Obama rips concessions that businesses and others have made to Trump - CNN - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Obama Torches Trump by Turning MAGAs Favorite Gripe Against Him - The Daily Beast - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Obama takes aim at companies cutting deals with Trump: We have capacity to take a stand - The Guardian - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Marc Maron Ends His Podcast With Words of Advice From Barack Obama - The Hollywood Reporter - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Obama: Inherently corrupting for a president to use military against their own people - The Hill - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Barack Obama Emphasizes Civility More Than Warrior Spirit With Marc Maron On Final WTF: We Probably Need To Be Shaken Out Of Our Complacency -... - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Obama Blasts Companies and Universities for Backing Down to Trump - Newsweek - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Barack Obama Reveals He Only Plays This One Phone Game - CNET - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Marc Maron Ends WTF Podcast With Barack Obama Giving Him Advice: Be a Little Brain-Dead for a While and Dont Rush Into Whats Next - Variety - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Obama warns that Republicans want to rig next years election in horrowing ad - TheGrio - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Obama Reveals Why He Started Speaking Out Against Trump - The Daily Beast - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Trump takes swipe at Hillary Clinton, blasts Obama and Biden in passionate address to Israeli parliament - New York Post - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- This is 'a test,' Obama says of the US under Trump. He gets candid with podcaster Marc Maron - TheDailyNewsOnline.com - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Former Pres. Obama Adviser Weighs in on Obamas Comments on Trump: The Greatest Threat is People are Complacent. - CNN - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Opinion - Obama rebukes Trumps use of National Guard in cities: inherently corrupting - Yahoo - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Obama Finally Tells Us Why Hes Been So Quiet When It Comes to Trump - The Root - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Barack Obama Believes Businesses And Universities Are Being Tested By The Trump Administration Here's His Advice - afrotech.com - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Barack Obama urges Californians to back Prop. 50: Democracy is on the ballot - Stocktonia - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Obama rebukes Trump's use of Nat'l Guard in cities: 'inherently corrupting' Lindsey Granger | RISING - The Hill - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Obama gloats that Hispanics who voted Trump for the economy are now being 'tested' by ICE raids - Daily Mail - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Barack Obama Accuses Republicans Of Wanting To 'Rig The Next Election' In Ad Supporting Governor Newsom - Latin Times - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- This is a test, Obama says of the U.S. under Trump. He gets candid with podcaster Marc Maron - Los Angeles Times - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- 2024 was a repudiation of the Obama-DEI style of politics: Michael Malice - Fox News - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- After Nobel Snub, Trump To Get An Award That Obama Received - NDTV - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Top lawyers for Bush, Clinton and Obama join together to blast Trumps political prosecutions: No American is safe - AOL.com - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Trump's Power Success, Obama-Biden's Wages of Weakness, by Austin Bay - Creators Syndicate - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Barack Obama opens up on decision to speak out against Trump after leaving the Oval Office - UNILAD - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Former President Barack Obama decries politicization of the military by President Donald Trump - Chicago Tribune - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Rigged! Obama cuts ad for California ballot initiative and questions the legitimacy of 2026 election - Washington Times - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- President Obama explores ways to combat the rise of authoritarianism with Eastern European alumni - Obama Foundation - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama's Girls Opportunity Alliance is rallying $2.5 million for grassroots education - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Awarded for nothing: Trump hits out at Obama over Nobel Peace Prize win; calls himself more deserving - The Times of India - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- MAGA Fumes at Obama for Ignoring Trump in His Peace Post - The Daily Beast - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- A quick word in the ear and Trump had done what Obama and Biden never could - yahoo.com - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Watch the heartwarming moment when a 102-year-old woman tells Barack Obama what she eats every day - Yahoo Creators - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Trump only really wanted to win the Nobel Peace Prize for one reason and you guessed it: its Obama - The Independent - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Obama: We should all be encouraged that end to Israel-Hamas war in sight - The Hill - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Trump railed against Obama before he was passed over for Nobel Peace Prize - TheGrio - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Battenfeld: Obama shows pettiness by failing to credit Trump for peace deal - Boston Herald - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Trumps Attempt to Goad Navy Into Booing Obama Met With Awkward Silence - Yahoo - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Trump Slams Obama's Nobel Peace Prize Win Just Before Losing His Campaign - BIN: Black Information Network - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Maria Corina Machado wins Nobel Peace Prize 2025: The delicious Obama twist in giving the award to Venezu - Times of India - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Trump only really wanted to win the Nobel Peace Prize for one reason and you guessed it: its Obama - Yahoo - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- "Obama Got It For Nothing": Trump Tears Into Ex-President's Nobel Prize Win - NDTV - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Obama's Go-To Hometown Meal Comes With A Heaping Helping Of Comfort - Yahoo - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Trump tries to get Navy to boo Obama what happened next left the crowd silent - The Economic Times - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Top CNN anchor shocks with praise for Trump compared to Obama - SILive.com - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Barack Obama's 'elite' pen of choice is unbelievably affordable today - Creative Bloq - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Be cool when you walk down: Trump compliments the way Obama would bop down the stairs of Air Force One - Yahoo - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Obama's Go-To Hometown Meal Comes With A Heaping Helping Of Comfort - Chowhound - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Trump met with awkward silence after attempting to get crowd to boo Obama - tyla.com - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Watch: Trump flops at Navy's 250th anniversary event; tries to provoke boos for Obama but fail - Times of India - October 7th, 2025 [October 7th, 2025]
- Did Obama say '80% of the world's problems involve old men hanging on'? - Snopes - October 7th, 2025 [October 7th, 2025]