Trump is flat-out 'lying' about protecting pre-existing conditions, says Obama


Former President Barack Obama wants to call it like he sees it.
Speaking at a rally in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in support of local Democratic candidates on Friday, Obama couldn't believe the audacity of his successor's claims about protecting health-care coverage for people with pre-existing conditions.
President Trump "says 'I'm going to protect your pre-existing conditions,' while his Justice Department is in court right now trying to strike down those protections," said Obama, referring to a lawsuit backed by the Trump administration attempting to overturn major aspects of the Affordable Care Act, also known as ObamaCare. "That is not spin. That's not exaggeration ... that's lying," said Obama.
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.
Obama also lamented the current culture among those in public office — "politicians just blatantly, repeatedly, baldly, shamelessly lying." Much like his previous speeches rallying for Democratic support, Obama called for high voter turnout. He warned voters not to "fall for" the "fear-mongering" about immigration, reminding the crowd that lawmakers would likely push anti-immigrant rhetoric until the midterm elections. Watch his health-care comments below, via ABC News. Summer Meza
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Summer Meza has worked at The Week since 2018, serving as a staff writer, a news writer and currently the deputy editor. As a proud news generalist, she edits everything from political punditry and science news to personal finance advice and film reviews. Summer has previously written for Newsweek and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, covering national politics, transportation and the cannabis industry.
-
Bad Friend: Tiffany Watt Smith explores why women abandon friendships
The Week Recommends A 'deeply researched' account of female friendship through history
-
Brazil's reborn dolls craze
Under The Radar The 'hyper-realistic' babies soaring in popularity in South American nation have spawned controversy
-
Crossword: June 5, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
-
Elon Musk slams Trump's 'pork-filled' signature bill
speed read 'Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong,' Musk posted on X
-
Depleted FEMA struggling as hurricane season begins
speed read FEMA has lost a third of its workforce amid DOGE cuts enforced by President Donald Trump
-
White House tackles fake citations in MAHA report
speed read A federal government public health report spearheaded by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was rife with false citations
-
Judge blocks push to bar Harvard foreign students
speed read Judge Allison Burroughs sided with Harvard against the Trump administration's attempt to block the admittance of international students
-
Trump's trade war whipsawed by court rulings
Speed Read A series of court rulings over Trump's tariffs renders the future of US trade policy uncertain
-
Elon Musk departs Trump administration
speed read The former DOGE head says he is ending his government work to spend more time on his companies
-
Trump taps ex-personal lawyer for appeals court
speed read The president has nominated Emil Bove, his former criminal defense lawyer, to be a federal judge
-
US trade court nullifies Trump's biggest tariffs
speed read The US Court of International Trade says Trump exceeded his authority in imposing global tariffs