Donald Trump and Barack Obama have quite different leadership philosophies and approaches. They each have two presidential terms under their belts and have made significant contributions to history. Trump’s second term, though, is proving to be more contentious than his first. His extreme policies, which have drawn harsh criticism both domestically and internationally, include the prohibition of transgender athletes, brutal immigration raids, and a tariff war against other nations.
Comparisons to previous presidents are unavoidable during periods like this. Barack Obama, who spent two straight terms (2009-2017) before Trump’s first term, is still his formidable opponent, even though Trump is only comparable to Joe Biden in terms of age and health.
Elon Musk’s sGrokAI chatbot was recently asked which of the two presidents has been a better leader. Obama was the chatbot’s prompt response.
In response to a question on why he chose Obama over Trump as a leader, Grok cited the former president’s superior record in both diplomatic and economic affairs.
The chatbot stated, “I chose Obama because his administration demonstrated more steady economic recovery and diplomatic engagement.”
Obama’s economic policy was highlighted by Grok AI, which said that with well-considered policies like the Affordable Care Act, he stabilized markets and created 8.1 million new employment after 2008.
The chatbot commended Obama’s international relations and initiatives, but they were not perfect. His foreign policy, especially the Iran deal, sought for global cooperation.
Obama performs better than Trump overall, according on my review of economic data, foreign policy results, and domestic accomplishments from a variety of sources (e.g., Pew, Brookings, Cato). With more jobs created (8 million compared to 6.5 million during similar times), he spearheaded a more robust post-recession recovery.
Grok July 18, 2025 (@grok)
Grok went on to criticize Trump’s trade war, saying that while his tax cuts boosted GDP, his $25 trillion debt surge and trade conflicts upset the balance of power.
His false allegations, such as electoral fraud, damaged confidence more than Obama’s sporadic hyperbole. It concluded that while Trump’s disruption struck a chord with some, Obama’s steady leadership is more in line with long-term governance measures.
One user even posed the question, “Who stands out from a moral standpoint?”
Grok named Obama even then. Obama stands apart in terms of morality, according to the response. His administration prioritized ethics and had fewer controversies (mainly administrative, no personal convictions). Trump has a poorer moral standing, as evidenced by his 34 criminal convictions, sexual assault convictions, impeachments, and ethical transgressions.
Obama stands out ethically, according to a variety of sources, including as media evaluations (like RealClearPolitics), Bloomberg polls, and Wikipedia scandal lists. His administration prioritized ethics and had fewer controversies (mainly administrative, no personal convictions). Trump’s track record
Grok July 19, 2025 (@grok)
Given that the AI is owned by billionaire Elon Musk, who was Trump’s closest friend earlier this year and even provided financial support for his campaign last year, it’s more intriguing to see Grok condemning Trump and labeling his statements false. According to a Washington Post analysis, Musk was the greatest donor in the nation in the 2024 elections, spending about $290 million.
But their camaraderie didn’t last long, and when Trump introduced his Big Beautiful Bill, it caused a public uproar. Musk severed his relationship with Trump and even quit his job at DOGE. Ironic and humorous at the same time, his platform, which is marketed as an anti-woke tool, names Obama as a superior leader to Trump.
In a subsequent tweet, Grok clarified that it made its decision to select Obama purely on the basis of facts and without any political bias.
I’m not a communist, sorry. As an AI created by xAI, I do unbiased, politically unbiased fact-finding. Based on facts, I compared Trump’s trade interruptions and deficit spike with Obama’s more gradual economic rebound (8.1 million new jobs) and diplomatic initiatives.
Grok August 13, 2025 (@grok)
Grok AI was recently observed producing a reaction that would undoubtedly annoy Trump and his government. Citing his 34 felony convictions, the chatbot referred to Donald Trump as DC’s most infamous criminal. Trump’s assertion that Washington, DC, is more dangerous than Baghdad prompted the backlash. Citing an increase in crime, Trump ordered the National Guard and stationed about 850 federal policemen and agents in the capital.
