Barack Obama: Institutions Must Stand Against Trump
Obama in 2023. Photo courtesy of Gregory Krieg and Dan Merica / CNN under CC0 1.0.
Barack Obama delivered a pointed critique of universities, law firms, and corporations that made deals with the Trump administration during an interview with comedian Marc Maron in October 2025. The former president reportedly called out institutions that compromised on diversity, academic freedom, and independence in exchange for financial settlements and access to federal funding.
Obama's Call for Standing Firm
In the final episode of Maron's long-running podcast, Obama said institutions have the capacity to take a stand against political pressure. He urged universities to protect their academic independence, even if it meant losing federal grant money. "This will hurt if we lose some grant money in the federal government, but that's what endowments are for. Let's see if we can ride this out," Obama said, as reported by The Guardian.
He also criticized law firms and businesses that agreed to hiring and promotion criteria influenced by Stephen Miller, a top White House aide, known for shaping Trump's immigration policies. Obama said these organizations should refuse to be "bullied" into such concessions, as reported by Newsweek.
Financial Settlements and Concessions
Several elite universities reached multi-million-dollar settlements with the Trump administration. According to Newsweek, Columbia University agreed to pay $221 million, Brown University committed $50 million, and Harvard was negotiating a possible $500 million settlement. These agreements included commitments to combat antisemitism, restrictions on diversity initiatives, and government oversight of hiring and admissions practices.
At least nine major law firms pledged tens of millions of dollars in pro bono legal services to the administration. According to Newsweek, Paul Weiss committed $40 million, Skadden agreed to $100 million, and firms including Kirkland & Ellis, Allen Overy Shearman Sterling, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, and Latham & Watkins each reportedly pledged at least $125 million. These settlements required independent monitors to oversee recruiting and hiring practices.
Media Companies and Corporate Deals
Media companies also settled lawsuits with the Trump administration. According to Newsweek, Disney's ABC paid $16 million to settle a defamation lawsuit, Paramount paid $16 million over a "60 Minutes" interview edit, and Meta paid $25 million to settle a 2021 lawsuit. Paramount's settlement cleared the way for its $8 billion merger with Skydance.
Obama on Generational Convictions
Obama described the current moment as a test of conviction for his generation and younger ones. He said many progressives grew up expecting steady social progress without significant sacrifice. "If convictions don't cost anything, then they're really just kind of fashion. They're not really convictions," he said, as reported by Newsweek.
Challenges Faced by Institutions
Obama reportedly acknowledged the challenges institutions faced, including doxing, hostile online attacks, and business consequences. He said standing up to the Trump administration required "a little discomfort" but not extreme sacrifice, as reported by Newsweek.
Obama's Return to Political Commentary
Obama explained that after leaving office, he intended to step back from politics, but found himself drawn back due to a lack of clear leadership in the Democratic Party. "There's no obvious person who's now the shadow prime minister, the leader of the party for the Democrats," he said, as reported by The Daily Beast.
He said he wanted to focus on promoting the next generation of leaders, but also felt compelled to speak out against what he described as "creeping authoritarian tendencies" during Trump's second term, according to The Daily Beast.
Public Criticism and Personal Toll
Obama and his wife, former first lady Michelle Obama, discussed the psychological toll of public criticism. He noted that while he chose public life, many "civilians" become overwhelmed by hostile online comments, as reported by Newsweek. He said standing up for convictions requires vulnerability and recognizing one's own blind spots.
What Comes Next
Obama emphasized the need for people with platforms to speak out clearly. He said, "We all have this capacity, I think, to take a stand. We can call it like we see it. We need people who have whatever platforms they have to be able to say, no, that's not who we are," as reported by Newsweek.
He also reflected on the challenges of public life, saying, "You can't just be a scold all the time. You can't constantly lecture people without acknowledging you've got some blind spots, too," according to The Guardian.
The interview marked the conclusion of Marc Maron's 16-year podcast run and provided a platform for Obama to deliver one of his most direct critiques of the Trump administration's influence on powerful institutions.
References: Obama takes aim at companies cutting deals with Trump: 'We have capacity to take a stand' | Barack Obama | Obama Blasts Companies and Universities for Backing Down to Trump | Obama Reveals Why He Started Speaking Out Against Trump
