Clearly lacking in exposure, Barack and Michelle Obama have inked an exclusive deal with Spotify to produce podcasts that will help promote “diverse voices.”
The partnership deal is with the Obama’s production company, Higher Ground, and is reportedly similar to the former first couple’s multi-year deal with Netflix.
Spotify Chief Content Officer, Dawn Ostroff, could hardly contain her excitement in announcing the deal.
“President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama are two of the world’s most important voices and it is a privilege to be working with them to identify and share stories that will inspire our global audience,” she said.
.@BarackObama and @MichelleObama are getting into the @Spotify podcast business https://t.co/u4200hTQZ1
— Pitchfork (@pitchfork) June 6, 2019
But then, a warning from Ostroff.
“We are thrilled that not only will the Obamas be producing content, but that they will be lending their voices to this effort,” she said.
Does … does ‘lending their voices’ mean what we think it means?
Indeed, CNN reports that “‘lend their voices’ means the former president and first lady will sometimes be heard on the new podcasts.”
Like, on purpose? Excuse me for a moment while I go sign up for Pandora.
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Another Lie
We know this might be a shock to you, but Michelle and Barack haven’t always been honest when speaking about their plans to start a media company like Higher Ground.
White House communications director Jen Psaki told Mic in the waning days of the Obama presidency that he “will remain actively engaged in inspiring young people” but that “he has no plans to get into the media business after he leaves office.”
Yet, here we are signing multi-year deals with Netflix and Spotify.
Let’s Get Political!
When news spread that the Obamas had signed with Netflix, reports suggested they had no intention of using the video streaming service to respond directly to President Trump or Republicans in general.
They were simply to provide “an unfiltered method of communication with the public” and would not “wage a public campaign against his successor.”
Months later, the former President and First Lady acquired rights to adapt the book The Fifth Risk into a series as part of their deal with Netflix.
The book, a New York Times bestseller, contains stories about Trump administration appointees who are described as “completely unprepared for their jobs.”
Now they can turn it into a podcast for Spotify as well.
“We’ve always believed in the value of entertaining, thought-provoking conversation,” Barack said in the Spotify announcement.
Do you think for one minute these two narcissists will be able to discuss thought-provoking material, or lending their own voices, without trying to drag the President in some manner?
