President Obama took a break from leading the free world to read some mean tweets, but when he sat on the couch to talk to Jimmy Kimmel Thursday night, it was a mix of humor and serious discussions.
Kimmel introduced Obama as "The first Kenyan born, Muslim socialist president" Or as 1 reporter joked: the way Fox does it. #ObamaKimmel
— Michael D. Shear (@shearm) March 13, 2015
On the top of everyone’s minds, however, was the shooting of two police officers in Ferguson, Mo., early Thursday morning. The officers are back at home after being treated for their wounds, and Obama condemned the violence in his first public statement on the shooting. He also shared his thoughts on the Department of Justice’s report on the Ferguson justice system. He said he remained optimistic that the people in Ferguson and the police could find a way to work together.
“What had been happening in Ferguson was oppressive and objectionable and was worthy of protest,” Obama told Kimmel. “But there was no excuse for criminal acts. Whoever fired those shots shouldn’t detract from the issue. They’re criminals. They need to be arrested.”
But in his interview, which took up much of the show, viewers got to learn a bit about life as the president. For instance, he’s can’t get the newest smartphone, he won’t share Hillary Clinton’s email address with Kimmel, and aliens definitely don’t exist. (Or do they? That’s what they want you to think.) Also, he’s not allowed to drive—and the last time he tried, it didn’t exactly go too well.
He’s also pushing for a Student Aid Bill of Rights to protect people who want to go to college, make it more affordable to do so, and help people with loans be able to refinance them. But getting Congress to work with him is a different story.
Screengrab via Jimmy Kimmel Live/YouTube