There has been a considerable amount of surprise regarding Donald Trump’s educational background compared to that of former President Barack Obama, and opinions on this matter vary greatly.
Obama served two terms from 2009 to 2017, an accomplishment Trump did not achieve, as Joe Biden became president between Trump’s terms.
As Trump’s policies continue to stir debate, focus has shifted to his academic credentials.
Education, while not the sole measure of a person’s cultural acumen, can provide insights into the potential capabilities of a politician.
Though Trump’s time on The Apprentice and his cameo in Home Alone 2 are notable moments before his presidency, some argue that his educational background does not compare to Obama’s.
The internet has been curious about Trump’s educational history since his entrance into politics, though details about his time at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) remain sparse.
Initially, Trump attended the New York Military Academy before enrolling at Fordham University.
After two years, he transferred to UPenn, where he took up a four-year business degree course at Wharton School, graduating in 1968, though his academic records have not been disclosed.
Obama gained early attention in the 1990s when he became the first Black president of the Harvard Law Review, a significant law journal run independently by students at the university.
Before Harvard Law, Obama attended Occidental College in Los Angeles and later transferred to Columbia University, majoring in political science with a focus on international relations and English literature.
He graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law in 1991, indicating he was among the top of his class.
The academic debate between the two presidents remains active on platforms like Quora.
“Barack Obama has a law degree! That takes a lot of work!” one person remarked, while another suggested that despite Obama’s extensive education, it does not necessarily equate to intelligence.
Another participant in the debate expressed frustration: “Damn!!! Is there NO END to this stupid question always being asked? Unlike 47, Obama has a law degree, was president of the law journal while in college, etc. Do people think that CONSTANTLY asking this will somehow morph into him being other than what he is?”
One more comment highlighted the confusion between education and intelligence: “Now all the idiots will ‘presume’ that Obama is smarter than President Trump because he went to school longer. The confusion between intellect and education is alarming, since they are two very different things, but if the ‘agenda’ is met by spewing this junk, it’s all OK. How dumb.”
Though Obama has moved on from the White House, he continues to be an influential figure in politics and culture worldwide.
With his background in English literature, Obama shares annual lists of books, music, and films he has enjoyed, promoting both well-known and underrepresented creators.