President Barack Obama has continually been praised for his incredible public speaking skills, and he is widely regarded as one of the most skilled public speakers of the modern era. His calm, measured delivery, clear intelligence and confidence make him captivating to listen to.
Now you will have the chance to listen to him speak live as Seat Unique are proud to present an Evening with President Barack Obama in London and Dublin. If this is your first time seeing Obama live in conversation, you might be wondering what topics are important to him. In this blog post, we’ll go through some of the key themes he often speaks about.
Register your interest with Seat Unique now to be first in line when VIP tickets go on sale at 10am on Friday 4th July.
Register your interest in President Barack Obama premium experiencesDemocracy
As a former US president, preserving democracy is clearly very important to Obama. At events like the Impact’25 conference in Poznań, Poland this year, Obama emphasised the importance of democratic values and institutions. He called citizens everywhere to defend democracy, stressing that elections and active engagement matter.
Particularly recently, Obama has been even more outspoken about his opposition to current US President Trump’s political values. In a speech at Hamilton College in New York, he expressed that he was “deeply concerned with a federal government that threatens universities if they don’t give up students who are exercising their right to free speech.”
As this is a topic so important to Obama, you can expect him to speak more about his opinions on the Trump administration in future speeches.
Building Community
President Barack Obama’s speeches also often centre around community. In his 2012 victory speech after being elected for a second term as US President, Obama shared moving stories of Americans coming together, such as a small business owner cutting his own pay to keep neighbours employed, families united by healthcare reforms, and volunteers rebuilding after natural disasters.
Even after his presidential run Obama continues to care deeply about the community. In 2024, Obama toured the Obama Presidential Center’s construction site in Chicago. He thanked the workers and emphasised the project’s goal: to create a community hub and educational space that inspires future leaders. It’s a tangible reminder of his post-presidential mission of investing in civic renewal at the local level.
Global Leadership
It is clear from his many speeches abroad while serving as President, and the fact that he continues to do so now, that Obama cares deeply about transatlantic cooperation. For example, his presence in Poznań signaled strong support for transatlantic alliances and shared leadership. He advocated for collaboration on challenges like climate, security, and democratic renewal – messages that resonate across old and new European partners.
His upcoming live conversations in London and Dublin are a testament to Obama’s commitment to opposing nationalism and instead strengthening ties between nations. While in conversation with David Olusoga and Fintan O’Toole, you can expect discussions about British and Irish political issues too.
Register your interest in President Barack Obama premium experiencesEconomic Equity
Obama has continually demonstrated his belief in equality, particularly in economics. From tax fairness and responsible banking to public investment like infrastructure and education that can benefit everyone, his message is that economic disparity undermines democracy and erodes public trust.
In a speech at the 15th anniversary of his election in 2023, Obama addressed economic fairness, recognising capitalism’s power but warning against its excesses. He emphasised the need for unions, a stronger social safety net, and policies supporting workers navigating job shifts due to AI.
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