What will Obama do after leaving the White House?

After transferring power to new President Donald Trump, Barack Obama may serve the people in a different way.

Mr. Obama speaks at the White House after learning the name of his successor - Photo: Reuters

On January 20, 2017, Mr. Obama will officially leave the White House. There will always be a question: what will the man who spent 8 years in power of the world's most powerful country do and how will he live?

This made many people curious because the commander-in-chief of the United States was only 55 years old at that time. And he himself, at the farewell dinner for the international press last April, also participated in a traditional comedy skit in which he talked about what he would do after eight years of power.

The American press also paid close attention to this story and even drew up the craziest scenarios, like Mr. Obama becoming a sports coach.

Prioritize rest

Experts say that the US president usually takes a 2-4 year break after a stressful working period. Of course, everyone understands that this is usually a positive way to relax with activities that can help society.

According to journalist François Clemenceau, head of the international department of JDD newspaper, who was a resident journalist for Europe 1 in Washington, the Obama family will stay in the US capital for at least two years "so that their youngest daughter Sasha can finish high school."

During this period, Mr. Obama will travel back and forth between Washington and Chicago - the Illinois city where he grew up and met his wife Michelle. Journalist Clemenceau explained: "He set up the Obama Foundation in Chicago, and has activities there."

These activities will target the black community with practical support activities as if to repay the unfulfilled debt of being a “President of black people”.

According to journalist Clemenceau, an expert on American politics, Mr. Obama plans to develop an assistance program called "Keep your brother", a kind of mutual support system between young people. "This will be a program with young people playing the role of mediators in hot zones to help young people not fall into the hands of criminals."

“That will be my mission, not just for the rest of my presidency, but for the rest of my life,” Obama said in 2015, when he announced the creation of the My Brother's Keeper Alliance, an organization to help minority American youth.

Mr. Obama will also establish a library, following an American tradition established by Herbert Hoover in the 1930s that allows each outgoing President to establish a library of books.

President Obama in his speech to minority youth - Photo: WH.gov

Global operations

In the meantime, Mr. Obama may devote time to peace activities. When interviewed last October about the Nobel Peace Prize he received in 2009, President Obama half-joked that he still did not understand why the organizers gave him that noble award.

“He may continue to fulfill the promises he made when he received the prize in Oslo seven years ago. And who knows, he may work as an ambassador for the United Nations,” said journalist François Clemenceau.

Journalist Vincent Michelot, an expert on American history, told BFMTV that Mr. Obama could even be nominated as the leader of a UN agency given his existing abilities and prestige.

Former President Jimmy Carter did just that. After leaving the White House in 1981, the Democratic president remained prominent in international politics, playing a mediator role in resolving many difficult conflicts around the world.

Obama when teaching constitutional law - Screenshot

Another possibility is becoming a university president. “It’s not a bad position for a former US president,” says journalist Vincent Michelot. But the possibility of Barack Obama returning to teach law — as he did at the University of Chicago from 1991 to 2004 — seems less likely.

In fact, Madeleine Albright, the US Secretary of State from 1997 to 2001, returned to Georgetown University. But the position of Secretary of State and President are two different classes. It is hard to imagine a former President giving a lecture," journalist Vincent Michelot explained.

Prioritize family

Michelle Obama would have had her own work to do if she hadn't thought about entering politics and aiming to return to the White House. "She would have joined a campaign to get young Americans to eat healthier," Clemenceau said.

During her time as First Lady, Michelle repeatedly expressed her views on this issue because the US economy lost nearly 100 billion USD due to obesity among its people.

She also has many other programs to continue such as support activities for military families, educational support for young women in disadvantaged areas.

It seems certain that Mr. Obama will be "wholehearted" to his family, returning to the role of "rear support" for his wife.

Mr. Obama is considered a President with high public support - Photo: Reuters

Journalist Vincent Michelot, an expert on American history, analyzed on BFMTV: “The Obama family is a modern couple and in the most ideal conditions, Mr. Obama would probably like his wife, who is trained in law, to return to her professional career. Then we will see them giving priority to Mrs. Michelle to develop her career.”

But many people also believe that with his prestige and talent, along with his good approval rating, it is likely that Mr. Obama will spend a lot of time writing.

It could be writing memoirs (like many previous Presidents) or it could be giving speeches to give lectures (which of course will generate good income, like Bill Clinton)...

According to Tuoi Tre