Mediaboss Marketing

Former President Barack Obama and President Trump have not spoken once since the inauguration in January, Mr. Trump confirmed to The Washington Times, adding its too bad they havent been in communication, but he is not surprised given their history.

Mr. Trump also brushed aside Mr. Obamas recent public attacks on him, acknowledging his own barbs aimed at the man whose legacy he upended with his stunning election victory in November.

I wouldnt say Ive been exactly great to him either, Mr. Trump said by way of explanation.

In an interview from the Oval Office, Mr. Trump described how he has distanced himself from his Democratic predecessors approach to dealing with foreign leaders, ditching the occasionally chiding tone Mr. Obama took in favor of a more pragmatic dealmakers stance.

He said rebuilt relationships have already paid off in Asia, where China is bringing pressure on North Korea, and in the release of Aya Hijazi, an Egyptian-American charity worker who had been detained in Egypt for nearly three years.

Mr. Trump said he earned Ms. Hijazis release because he took time to build an understanding with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, repairing a relationship that had been strained by Mr. Obamas criticism of Cairos record on human rights and civil liberties under Mr. el-Sissi.

Mr. el-Sissi didnt like President Obama, not even a little bit. Didnt like him, Mr. Trump said.

One of the things Ive done in the first 100 days, Ive established great foundations for relationships. One of them is with Egypt, the president said. Theres a great case. I said to him, Mr. President, do me a favor. Release her. Shes innocent. Let her go. Is that better than Obama?

The two most dominant politicians of the past decade have never been on good terms, but Mr. Obama had, until recently, allowed Mr. Trump the stage for the beginning of his time in the White House.

That honeymoon appears to have ended when Mr. Obama forged a higher profile once again by holding a public event at the University of Chicago early last week and then accepting a reported $400,000 to appear at an A&E Networks advertising event, where he mocked Mr. Trump.

Mr. Obama said his signature health care law, Obamacare, is rating higher in polls than Mr. Trump, according to CNN.

When presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin asked Mr. Obama at the event how he had handled frustrating moments during his time in the White House, Mr. Obama replied, according to the New York Post, For starters, by not having a Twitter account.

Mr. Trump told The Washington Times that he wasnt fazed by the former presidents Twitter remark because he had been pointed in his own words against Mr. Obama.

Look, thats politics, he said.

Mr. Trump said he hasnt spoken to Mr. Obama in months.

Since I took office, no, the president said. Its too bad, but Im not totally surprised. Im disappointed when I look at the surveillance, Im very disappointed when I saw that.

Mr. Trump has accused the former administration of monitoring his and his teams actions in the waning days of the campaign over suspected ties to Russia an accusation that members of Congress are investigating as part of a broader look at meddling in the electoral process.

Mr. Trump, in the interview with The Times, defended his use of Twitter and other online platforms by saying its possible his mastery of the field is why he is sitting in the Oval Office today.

I think Ive used social media better than anybody in history, the businessman turned president said.

Its not Twitter, its really social media. Twitter bing, bing, I put it out and then everybody picks it up, he said, comparing it with the more traditional presidential outreach. If I send out a press release, Ill walk in, Ill dictate a press release, theyll put it out, you guys wont even see it.

Mr. Trump has upended the Washington establishment, and particularly the press corps assigned to cover him. The White House has democratized the briefing room, calling on outlets that were relegated to afterthoughts during much of the Obama administration.

And Mr. Trumps penchant for using Twitter and for keeping a frenetic schedule has left media outlets struggling to keep up.

See the original post here:
Donald Trump, Barack Obama have not spoken since Inauguration Day - Washington Times