A 'clown' who wouldn't go away: Inside Obama's team’s blind spot on Trump

An article delves into the Obama administration's internal perceptions and misjudgments regarding Donald Trump, describing him as a 'clown' who wouldn't go away.

17 Feb, 21:39 — 17 Feb, 22:56

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Why this matters

This story is significant as it explores how the Obama administration initially misjudged Donald Trump's political viability, dismissing him as a 'clown.' It provides insight into the blind spot that prevented many in the political establishment from anticipating Trump's rise, offering crucial context for understanding the political landscape that led to his presidency and the ongoing reactions to his controversial actions.

Key entitiesDonald Trump Barack Obama Obama's team

The Story

What 3 sources agree on, dispute, and miss

What sources agree on

Obama's team initially underestimated Donald Trump's political potential.
Donald Trump was perceived as a 'clown' by Obama's team.
Trump's political presence persisted despite initial dismissals.

Key claims2 agreed · 1 unverified

✓

Obama's team viewed Donald Trump as a 'clown'.

agreed·YahooAP

✓

Obama's team had a 'blind spot' regarding Trump's political staying power.

agreed·YahooAP

Obama deplored a 'Trump racist monkey clip' and a perceived lack of shame.

unverified·Daily Star BD

Where they diverge

The primary focus of the coverage regarding Obama and Trump.

YahooAP

These outlets focus on Obama's team's internal misjudgment and 'blind spot' concerning Trump's early political viability.

Daily Star BD

This outlet focuses on Obama's public condemnation of Trump's actions, specifically a 'racist monkey clip,' highlighting a perceived lack of shame.

Coverage gaps

Obama's specific deploring of a 'Trump racist monkey clip' and a perceived lack of shame.

ReportedDaily Star BD

MissingYahooAP

The Story

Analyzing sources…

Source Diversity

Moderate (42/100)

3 sources25/33

Spectrum spread— 2/5 buckets covered8/33

Far L

Left1

Left (1)

Yahoo

Center2

Center (2)

Daily Star BDAP

Right

Far R

Geographic diversity— 2 regions9/34

US2Bangladesh1

Political spectrum

LeftCenterRight

yahoo

daily-star-bd

Outlet rating This story

SourceOutletiGeneral editorial lean of the outletStoryiHow they covered this specific storyToneFactuality

Yahoocentercenter-leftanalyticalMostly Factualfocusing on internal team misjudgment

APcentercenter-leftneutralVery Highreporting on internal team misjudgment

Coverage leans: center-left

The coverage generally leans center-left, focusing on the Obama administration's perspective and highlighting critical views or misjudgments concerning Donald Trump.