'I read stories about myself': Trump discusses reading habits, former Presidents on Usha Vance's podcast

US President Donald Trump appeared as a guest on Second Lady Usha Vance's children's podcast, Storytime with the Second Lady, where he read a picture book and reflected on former presidents. The episode, released on Friday, quickly drew criticism and mockery from social media users.

The podcast, hosted by Usha Vance, typically features guests reading picture books to children. For the latest episode, Trump read Presidents Play!, a children's book published by the White House Historical Association that features illustrations of American Presidents enjoying sports and recreational activities at the White House.

Trump jokes while reading

During the conversation, Vance asked Trump whether he found time to read for pleasure while serving as president.

“I usually read stories about myself,” Trump said, adding that he mostly reads newspapers.

As he read through the book, Trump shared remarks about several former presidents, describing Lyndon Johnson as a “tough cookie" and Ronald Reagan as a “high-quality person", saying it was “like your father was president”, while calling John F Kennedy “the second-most good-looking President".

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He also made a reference to the ballroom currently being built on the White House grounds.

Trump jokes about former presidents while reading

As he turned the pages of the book, Trump offered his own commentary on several former presidents, mixing observations with humour.

Referring to Richard Nixon, the only president to resign after the Watergate scandal, Trump remarked that he "got himself into trouble, I guess."

On a page showing Herbert Hoover playing the game known as "Hoover Ball," which he created, Trump joked, "That worked out better for him than the economy."

The book also featured Barack Obama playing basketball. Calling him "Barack Hussein Obama", Trump said he doubted Obama was a good basketball player. He added that Obama's favourite sport was golf, but remarked, "He won't be in the Masters anytime soon," referring to the professional golf tournament.

When he came across an illustration of Bill Clinton jogging on the White House track installed during his presidency, Trump said, "I don't think I'll ever do that."

He then added that he liked Clinton "a lot".

Looking at an illustration of Abraham Lincoln riding a horse, Trump reflected on trying it himself.

"That's great. I'd like to ride horses, too," Trump said. "In fact, it gives me an idea, but when you fall off a horse... I've seen too many things happen. Falling off horses is not good."

He suggested that the solution would be, "A nice old horse that's extremely slow, lazy" adding that he would "maybe ride it."

A drawing of John Quincy Adams swimming in what was then Tiber Creek near the White House prompted Trump to say, "I think we're building a beautiful ballroom on top of it."

The discussion later turned to fitness as the book highlighted other presidents' sporting activities.

Seeing an illustration of Gerald Ford swimming, Trump commented, "I don't know if I look good in a bathing suit. I haven't had a bathing suit in a long time."

When the book described William Howard Taft as the nation's heaviest president, Trump remarked, "I have to be careful because I don't want to supersede his record."

He added, "And a thing like that would be possible if I allowed it to happen. For all of you out there watching, keep yourself in good shape."