Barack Obama on the 24 Hours that changed America forever
Between June 25-26, 2015, America experienced the soaring highs and the terrible lows of a country still on the journey to becoming a “more perfect union.” President Barack Obama was tasked with helping the nation navigate all of it. The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold a critical part of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and legalize same-sex marriage marked major progressive victories for the country. At the same time, President Obama was headed to Charleston, SC where, just days earlier, a young white male had walked into a Black church and massacred nine people during a Bible study.
In my interview with the 44th President of the United States of America, he reflects on that time, and the magic of democracy when people come together to fight for a better tomorrow.
I’m on Substack: https://substack.com/@garrisonhayes?r=12ws1y&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=profile
I’m on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garrisonh?igsh=NWpsdXc4YnZ5NXBu&utm_source=qr
I’m on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@garrisonhayes?_t=ZP-8xWax6p3Cec&_r=1
#barackobama #charleston #obama #obamacare #marriageequality #samesexmarriage
@devengarcia8979
May 16, 2026 at 6:35 am
This video would probably be much nicer if it wasn’t broken up every two mi nutes by an ad from YouTube
@BrihannaArchives
May 16, 2026 at 6:35 am
What a class act.
@juleksz.5785
May 16, 2026 at 6:35 am
…….Obama already has grey hair?????????
@BruceBerry-g4b
May 16, 2026 at 6:35 am
Obama you fraud! Obama care took healthcare away from working class
Families by making it unaffordable. He took healthcare away from people trying to make it and gave it for free to people who don’t try.
@compromisedssh
May 16, 2026 at 6:35 am
I am always amused by uppity folks like Garrison– the ones who have convinced themselves that they're every bit as brainy as the folks who are responsible for their inferiority complexes. Homies from that they're-not-actually-smarter-than-us-they-just-had-better-technology crowd (as if that framing somehow doesn't contain an obvious contradiction) always point to their education, or think they're making a point by citing the supposed academic prowess of their females. Sadly, their degrees never impress anyone. Not ever. They studied things like psychology, political science, English, gender studies, nutrition, theology, criminology, education, sociology, etc. Despite this, they convince themselves that they're every bit as smart as the people they criticize (or whose ancestors catch a lot of strays) without appreciating the hollowness of their respect pleas. I have no idea what Mr. Hayes studied, nor do I have the inclination to investigate. The abrupt ending of this video at a place that's not much of a stopping point made me think about this phenomenon. I don't know why (no shade either– I got zero minutes with Obama). Cam James is an exception to the trend (the sole exception I'm aware of, frankly), although I'd love to get more examples. My guess is that anyone reading this thinks they know what I look like. The truth is, Garrison's much, much lighter than I am. To be clear: I am not criticizing media literacy, soft science degrees, or people with humanities diplomas; I'm criticizing the folks who think non-STEM degrees give themselves (or any community, or community segment they point to) intellectual credibility.
@staticshock1997ge
May 16, 2026 at 6:35 am
My forever Pres
@chanashira8570
May 16, 2026 at 6:35 am
This video makes me want to cry. I was 9 years old in June 2015, I grew up (at least until that August) without having to know very much about politics. I knew safety and security, because of this man, this incredible leader. I feel so awful for those younger than me, who grew up in the disgrace’s first term or now in the second. Thank you for this interview, thank you for bringing back to light this landmark two day stretch, especially for those of us too young to appreciate it when it occurred.
@WolfMan831
May 16, 2026 at 6:35 am
June 25-26, 2015 were my last days of high school. I remember coming home from the graduation ceremony and hearing the news that gay marriage was legalized.
@Dnahunt
May 16, 2026 at 6:35 am
You don’t feel even a little bit weird laundering his legacy. You really gave me the impression you cared about human being and not just Americans, but yet another milquetoast American exceptionalist liberal
@Lp-vw1lf
May 16, 2026 at 6:35 am
Amen!
@BxnldnsBabymomma-v3x
May 16, 2026 at 6:35 am
Never forget that Obama is still a huge part of the problem. He is pro amerikkkka before anything else. He isn’t about uprooting and dismantling creating a better society he is about keeping the status quo. Look how he responded to Ferguson
@benpeterson1238
May 16, 2026 at 6:35 am
Obama kept the forever wars pumping, he allowed our government to spy on us before our Internet Service Providers even receive the information, he sold out the people of Haiti, he allowed the criminals of 2008 to walk free, and allowed the CIA the wreck South America leading to the collapse of many South American countries which allowed Biden to give them all asylum which caused an immigration crisis.
He has an insanely bad track record with VERY few redeeming factors. His healthcare laws quite literally RUINED the healthcare system since they realized they can charge the government anything they want which raised market rates to the point people who don't want or need insurance can't afford healthcare OR insurance. But sure… He was the first blwck president and made gay marriage legal… Whoopty.
Oh let's also not forget that he was trying to work a deal with the governor of Illinois to sell his old Senate seat and only the governor of Illinois went to jail for that deal, and he didn't even pardon him, so he could appear like he had nothing to do with it. He was an A class criminal who knew how to get away with shit. That is literally every president.
It is time the common people stop riding dicks of criminals and start taking the power back.
@zzzzzzz-t2c
May 16, 2026 at 6:35 am
When he was president the most academic and financial opportunities were available, now people don't have food to eat.
Disgraceful
@AngieCharme
May 16, 2026 at 6:35 am
This is the America I miss. Even when GW Bush was in office, America had some form of togetherness
@Mdksupreme1
May 16, 2026 at 6:35 am
What a terrible interview, no tough questions whatsoever, no questions about him doing nothing about police brutality, about him doing nothing about the racial wealth gap, the mass incarceration of Black men, reparations?, just terrible
@ConcernedForHumans
May 16, 2026 at 6:35 am
The differences between this president and that president are blinding.
@JohnBarnett-q1l
May 16, 2026 at 6:35 am
Excellent post ❤ thanks for the look back ❤❤❤❤❤ John Barnett. SEMPER FI ❤❤❤❤ 1:34
@ShebaRomanFilms
May 16, 2026 at 6:35 am
Profound. It's insane to hear a president speak acual words — thoughtful, compassionate, cogent poetic language — in contrast to the garbled garbage we get from trump. Obqma is grace. We are living in a dis-grace.
@robertlellis2573
May 16, 2026 at 6:35 am
Yes ! He was a good president, His mistake was pushing homosexuality and killing Gadiffie or allowing the act , and did noting to help his brother ,
My opinion.
@StevieWonders2020
May 16, 2026 at 6:35 am
Today is October 18 No Kings Day… so glad to see Obama. Where has all the Joy and Beauty Gone? Thanks
@susiesmith2405
May 16, 2026 at 6:35 am
Gosh, I miss this President so dang much!!!! 💙🇺🇸
@S2KEVIN
May 16, 2026 at 6:35 am
not perfect but much better than what you guys have now.
@ShawnWalkner
May 16, 2026 at 6:35 am
I voted for her yesterday!
@strichar8519
May 16, 2026 at 6:35 am
The extremism on both sides of the aisle here is not going to end well. The only thing evil can't stand is…. forgiveness. We are all angry and for most of the same reasons. The wealthy love to see us at each other's throats so that they can rob us. We've lost the language of shared civic virtues and values free of partisan politics. Almost no one talks about them anymore. You can't even discuss it before the cynicism takes over. The far left is vile, murderous, devoid of compassion and claims victimhood. The far right wants to quash our freedoms and values to hold power, and use any excuse necessary to do so, often claiming victimhood as well. And it's our charge to recon with the fact that both are true at the same time right now. When all any of us want is a good job, a safe neighborhood, good schools, and the ability to see a doctor when we need to without going broke. We need to start talking about those shared values and what our civic identity as Americans actually means. Not all this crap about identity politics, which frankly, isn't even politics, but a loss of any core values and sense of identity. We are a sick society, and unfortunately the only prescription is remembering the fact that We are All Americans… but we've largely forgotten what that even means.
Cynicism is the death of Republics and the death of Republics and anyone advocating for vengeance is just throwing fuel on the fire.