Ex-No 10 aide: David Cameron thought Barack Obama was narcissistic and self-absorbed
2 min read
David Cameron’s former strategy director has poured cold water on the widely-perceived notion of a “bromance” between the ex-PM and Barack Obama during their time in office.
Steve Hilton said Mr Cameron thought his US counterpart was one of the “most narcissistic, self-absorbed people” he had ever encountered, with the former aide adding that Mr Obama's manner in meetings led to “real-world disasters”.
"Obama never listened to anyone, always thought he was smarter than every expert in the room, and treated every meeting as an opportunity to lecture everyone else," Mr Hilton said on his Fox News show.
"This led to real-world disasters, like Syria and the rise of Isis."
The claims contrast with numerous photo-ops which saw the pair attend basketball games and ride a golf-buggy together, while Mr Cameron once claimed that Mr Obama “sometimes calls me bro”.
Mr Hilton also leapt to the defence of Donald Trump, who he said “offends the elites aesthetically”, but has already “achieved more” than his predecessors.
“[The elites] don’t see what’s going on in the actual economy,” he argued.
“Whatever his mental state, [President Trump] has achieved more for working Americans in one year than his predecessors did in eight, or 16, frankly.”
A spokesman for Mr Cameron told the Guardian that the views expressed by Mr Hilton were not reflective of the former PM’s.
“David Cameron’s views on President Obama – whether in public or in private – are the same," the spokesman said.
"He considers Barack Obama a hugely accomplished president, a great partner for Britain and a good friend to our country and to him personally."
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