Obama says U.S. may be 'worse off' now than before Iran war

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: NBC News

June 19, 2026, 7:50 AM EDT


Former President Barack Obama said it seems like the United States has either returned to the status quo or is “worse off” now than before President Donald Trump launched the war on Iran in February.

“We’ve now fought a war, spent billions and billions of dollars, you know, put enormous strain on our military. A lot of people have died. And it feels like we’re back where we were before we started the war, except maybe a little bit worse off,” Obama said in an interview with “TODAY” co-host Craig Melvin that aired Friday.

Obama made the remarks during a conversation with Melvin ahead of the public opening of the Obama Presidential Center, when asked for his reaction to the memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran.

“I am very happy to see a ceasefire. And I’m hopeful that it holds,” said Obama, who questioned the rationale for the war on Iran.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/obama-us-may-worse-now-iran-war-rcna350733

[buzzycrumbhunger]

1. Ya think?

*eyeroll*

[genxlib]

2. I bet a $1000

That somewhere a MAGA commentator is saying "... a lot of people have died..?? It was like 13"

Proving of course that innocent Iranian deaths were never a consideration for them.

[Bayard]

3. He is too kind

[NH Ethylene]

4. Without a doubt.

I don't even know how we can get out of this mess.

[twodogsbarking]

5. Tact is the ability to tell someone to go to hell in such a way that they look forward to the trip.

Diplomacy is the art of telling people to go to hell in such a way that they ask for directions.

[ananda]

6. What's with all the mealymouthed hedging? May?

It definitely is WAY worse off, and trending even worse.

[yardwork]

8. Yes, but I think this is the first time a former president other than Trump has criticized a sitting president.

The gloves are off.

[ananda]

11. It's something at least.

I still think Dems need more fight.

The few real fighers we have can't do it all.

[dave99]

12. Obama knows he is out. Need those that are in to speak up.

[yardwork]

13. I agree with you. The fight needs to come from currently elected Democrats.

Barack Obama and his family don't criticize anybody as a rule. Doing so would have opened them to even more racist accusations than they've endured. His presidency would have been one long dysfunctional argument. That's what his enemies wanted. They didn't get it.

It has to be others who step up.

[surfered]

7. He means "before Trump."

[Martin68]

9. "May be...?"

[pat_k]

10. "Maybe"? Perhaps the qualifier is just a politician's habit?

Cause the ain't no maybe about it.

[J_William_Ryan]

14. President Obama is correct.

In fact, we’re worse off since Trump was elected.