A year since they last met, President Donald Trump and his predecessor Barack Obama haven't spoken, the first time in decades two successive presidents have avoided communicating in the 12 months after handing off power.
Ties between presidents -- if not always friendly -- are usually at least existent. That Trump and Obama have avoided each other speaks to the unprecedented nature of the current White House, and the lingering animosity between two men who openly sparred during 2016's presidential campaign.
Trump hasn't shied away from blasting decisions Obama made during his tenure, and has steadily chipped away at key pieces of Obama's legacy like the Paris climate accord and the Affordable Care Act. He's also launched personal attacks, falsely claiming that Obama ordered the phones tapped at Trump Tower or that Obama failed to call family members of slain US servicemen.
Obama, meanwhile, has reserved his criticism of Trump for policy matters. On the rare occasions he's spoken publicly over the past year, he's made only veiled references to the current Oval Office occupant.
The last time they spoke, Trump and Obama were standing on the East Front of the US Capitol as an idling military helicopter stood nearby. Moments after Trump was inaugurated, Obama appeared loose and smiling, his post-presidency life about to begin.
Apparently Obama left the traditional note for his successor in the Oval Office, but when Trump tried to reach out to thank him Obama was unavailable, and that was his last attempt.
There is really nothing about this report that should necessarily surprise anyone, because seriously how could Obama engage in a productive manner with the guy who continues to vilify him even a year after the election, and who seems determined to wipe every one of his accomplishments out of the history books.
And by the way I do not think that Obama is the only former president from who Trump feels he does not need to seek advice.
I also doubt very seriously that he has ever reached out to George W. Bush, George H.W. Bush, or Bill Clinton.
In Trump's opinion he does not need to rely on the advice from anyone, because he, and only HE, knows what should be done.
And that boys and girls is how America got all fucked up.
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