Jimmy Kimmel asks President Obama if he wished he were running against Donald Trump


A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
Thank you for signing up to TheWeek. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
"Do you ever wish you were running against Donald Trump?" Jimmy Kimmel asked President Obama on Monday's Kimmel Live, noting that Vice President Joe Biden said he would rather "take him behind the gym" than debate Trump. Obama laughed the laugh of a man who never has to run for anything again. "You know, I think Hillary is doing just fine," he said. "I am enjoying campaigning on her behalf, and also campaigning for Senate and House candidates, because look, we joke about Donald Trump but I do think that part of the reason you've seen Michelle passionate in this election, part of the reason that we get involved as much as we have, is not just because we think Hillary is going to be a great president, but it's also because there is something qualitatively different about the way Trump has operated in the political sphere."
"Look, I ran against John McCain, I ran against Mitt Romney — obviously I thought that I could do a better job, but they're both honorable men, and if they had won, I wouldn't worry about the general course of this country," Obama said, outlining the ways he thinks Trump is different. "Regardless of what your political preferences are, and your policy preferences, there is a certain responsibility and expectation in terms of how you behave, how you present yourself...."
"I've heard this speech before, believe me," Kimmel cut in, lightening the mood. When Obama went on, he added, "No, I didn't mean from you, I meant by guidance counselors to me." Listen, Obama said, "if you are willing to say anything and do anything, even when it undermines everything that has been built by previous generations, you know, that's a problem."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Earlier, Kimmel asked Obama if he ever actually laughs at Trump, especially while watching the GOP nominee during the debates. "Most of the time," Obama said. Watch below. Peter Weber
Continue reading for free
We hope you're enjoying The Week's refreshingly open-minded journalism.
Subscribed to The Week? Register your account with the same email as your subscription.
Sign up to our 10 Things You Need to Know Today newsletter
A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
Peter Weber is a senior editor at TheWeek.com, and has handled the editorial night shift since the website launched in 2008. A graduate of Northwestern University, Peter has worked at Facts on File and The New York Times Magazine. He speaks Spanish and Italian and plays bass and rhythm cello in an Austin rock band. Follow him on Twitter.
-
Recipe: beef and broccoli noodles by Pippa Middlehurst
The Week Recommends A simple adaptation of a classic Chinese dish
By The Week Staff Published
-
Libya: the 'tsunami' that washed away a city
Talking Point Climate change may have made the storm more likely, but many blame failures of governance for the scale of the tragedy
By The Week Staff Published
-
Volcanoes, lakes and jungle ruins in Guatemala
The Week Recommends Discover the 'vibrant indigenous culture' and biodiverse landscape of this Central American paradise
By The Week Staff Published
-
Exodus begins from Burning Man after desert mud trapped tens of thousands
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
'Margaritaville' singer Jimmy Buffett dies at 76
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
American Airlines suing website that offers tickets via price loopholes
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Federal agencies investigating near miss between Southwest jet and private plane
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Euphoria' star Angus Cloud dies at 25
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Pee-wee Herman actor Paul Reubens dies at 70
Speed Read
By Brendan Morrow Published
-
Trader Joe's recalls 4 products in a week amid reports of rocks and insects inside food
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Emmys to be postponed for first time since after 9/11 due to strikes
Speed Read
By Brendan Morrow Published