Obama just publicly upstaged Trump with his Thanksgiving preparations

Newsweek reports that former President Obama surprised a food bank in Chicago yesterday by showing up and pitching in to help volunteers prepare food in advance of Thanksgiving. The laudable establishment, the Greater Chicago Food Depository, shared a video of Obama on their official Twitter account, giving viewers a brief glimpse of the former president in action.

It’s a beautiful thing to see Obama once again demonstrate the depth of his genuine compassion, reminding Americans what true moral leadership looks like during a dark time when there is no such thing emanating from the White House.

The Obama Foundation also shared footage from Obama’s trip to the food bank, using it to promote the depository and spread awareness of its mission to provide food to those most in need of it. In it, the former president praises the food bank and explains the important work it does.

President Obama also took to his personal Twitter. He said that he is “grateful for the next generation of leaders,” praising those who work in food banks and charitable institutions all across the country. He also said that “hope requires action,” a useful piece of advice given the overwhelming sense of hopelessness that many Americans feel under the current administration.

It’s encouraging to hear that Obama maintains optimism for the future of our country and that he sees our leadership drawing from those who give of themselves to others rather than those who behave selfishly like Donald Trump. A little positivity is exactly what Americans need this holiday season.

Newsweek also rightfully points out that while President Obama spent yesterday volunteering, President Trump chose instead to board Air Force One and head south to West Palm Beach, Florida, his favored stomping ground.

It will come as no surprise that the president spent today golfing instead of doing anything remotely charitable.

Rather than help others, he’d rather waste more taxpayer dollars playing golf. Once again, President Obama has shown himself to be a man of class, integrity, and love, indirectly revealing Trump’s hollow egocentrism in the process.

Natalie Dickinson

Natalie is a staff writer for the Washington Press. She graduated from Oberlin College in 2010 and has been freelance blogging and writing for progressive outlets ever since.