Former President Barack Obama is facing criticism from even Democrat politicians after agreeing to give a speech to a Wall Street bank for $400,000, but that hasn’t stopped him from continuing aboard his post-presidency money train.
In fact, Obama made another $400,000 on April 27 for participating in a talk hosted by A&E Network at The Pierre Hotel in New York City, according to the New York Post.
During the 90-minute History Channel event, called a “History Makers Lunch,” the former president was interviewed by presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin.
Thus, it’s been less than 100 days since he left office, and Obama has already accepted $800,000 in speaking fees by exploiting his personal clout and former position.
The first $400,000 — which garnered criticism from even those in his own party — came from the investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald, according to CNBC.
Obama reportedly agreed to appear as the keynote speaker at the bank’s annual health care conference in September.
Democrat Sen. Elizabeth Warren said she was “troubled” by the big-ticket talk, explaining that she was concerned about the overall influence of money in politics, according to Yahoo News.
Another Democrat senator, Vermont’s Bernie Sanders, who has been a critic of “big money interests,” also critiqued Obama’s decision to take money from Wall Street.
“I think at a time when people are so frustrated with the power of Wall Street and the big money interests, I think it is unfortunate that President Obama is doing this,” Sanders said.
Obama spokesman Eric Schultz said in a statement that the former president accepted the invitation to speak at the Cantor Fitzgerald event because health care is “an issue of great importance to him.”
But, $800,000 later, it’s obvious what’s really important to him — making money.
Like and share this article on Facebook and Twitter if you’re disgusted that Obama has been exploiting his personal clout to make exorbitant speaking fees less than 100 days after leaving office.
(via: Conservative Tribune)
