Washington D.C. - In the wake of Donald Trump's unexpected victory in the 2016 presidential election, the mood within the Obama administration's communications team was palpably somber. Josh Earnest, then White House press Secretary, recently shared a poignant recollection of how President Barack Obama rallied his staff during this challenging period, emphasizing unity and a shared commitment to the nation's well-being.
Earnest described a scene of visible demoralization among his colleagues following the election results. Recognizing the need to regroup and refocus for the final two months of Obama's term, Earnest and his aides decided to convene the communications staff. It was during this period of reflection that President Obama himself intervened, seeking out Earnest to discuss the logistics of a nationally televised speech he was preparing to deliver from the White House's iconic Rose Garden.
When asked about the staff's disposition that morning, Earnest candidly replied that they were "emotional." This candid assessment prompted President Obama to summon the entire communications team into the Oval Office. Standing before the resolute desk, with Vice President Joe Biden by his side, Obama shared an early draft of the speech he would later deliver.
The core message of Obama's address resonated with a powerful call for national unity. "We have to remember that we're actually all on one team," the speech read. "We are Americans first. We're patriots first. We all want what's best for this country." This sentiment aimed to bridge the partisan divide and remind everyone of their shared identity as Americans, nonetheless of the election's outcome.
The profound importance of the moment was captured by Pete Souza, Obama's official White House photographer. Earnest noted that for many in the room, it was their first time setting foot in the Oval Office. "It was very poignant," Earnest shared with ABC7 Chicago news anchor Tanja Babich during a recent chat. The image of the President addressing his staff in such a pivotal moment has become a lasting testament to his leadership style.
The aftermath of Trump's victory also saw Earnest become a target of criticism from the president-elect himself. At a December 2016 rally, Trump labeled Earnest a "foolish guy," criticizing his dialog style and his defense of the U.S. intelligence community's findings on Russian interference in the election.
Since 2018, Earnest has served as a top spokesperson for United Airlines at the company's Chicago headquarters. While he briefly worked as a media pundit during the early days of Trump's presidency, Earnest found the role unfulfilling. He explained that the constant focus on Trump's "unpredictable, chaotic style of governing" often led to repetitive commentary.
"The questions could all be boiled down to, 'Isn't this outrageous what Trump is doing?'" Earnest recalled. "And it became about finding different ways to say, 'Yes.' I wasn't doing journalism. I was doing commentary. And it was pretty close to entertainment."
His experience highlights the challenges of navigating the media landscape during a period of intense political polarization.