Barack Obama pointed out one of the biggest contradictions in modern MAGA politics during a podcast with author Malcolm Gladwell.He criticized the growing push to decide who is truly part of America based on where people come from, their family background, and the origins of their parents.
He then mentioned Vice President JD Vance, saying that Vance’s speeches are similar to the “blood-and-soil” idea that it’s important who your parents are and how long they’ve been in the country.
Obama pointed out that this is ironic because Vance is married to the daughter of immigrants.
JD and Usha Vance, whose parents came from India before she was born in the US, have three kids together and are expecting a fourth.
Gladwell noted that even though Vance speaks against birthright citizenship and argues that America is more than just an idea, his marriage shows how much the country has changed.A hundred years ago, a politician who made those kinds of arguments probably wouldn’t have married someone with immigrant parents.
Obama responded by saying, “Hypocrisy is progress.” He explained that feeling guilty enough to lie to yourself or others is better than not even thinking about whether you’re doing something wrong.
He continued by saying that America works because people from different backgrounds come together as Americans, even when some people like Vance push the MAGA agenda that tries to draw lines about who belongs and who doesn’t.
About the Author
