President Obama is by all appearances enjoying his post-White House life.
In the 14 months since he stepped out of the Oval Office, Obama’s moments in the spotlight have been few and far between.
But when he has popped up, he has appeared more zen and carefree while sporting a seemingly ever-present smile in Donald Trump’s America.
“It’s is obvious to most people who are watching that he is relieved to no longer be bearing the burden of the presidency,” said Josh Earnest, who served as Obama’s White House Press Secretary and worked for him since the 2008 presidential campaign.
“I think there’s no doubt that he is more relaxed and more at ease and more unburdened than he’s been in a decade and it shows.”
Obama definitely looked unburdened on a Saturday night last month after taking in Bruce Springsteen’s show on Broadway.
Tie-less, the former president stood beaming from his balcony seat at the end of the show, recently extended due to popular demand. Obama pointed down to Springsteen and “The Boss” pointed back.
Friends and allies say that they could see a difference in the Obamas when they appeared in February for the unveiling of their paintings at the National Portrait Galley.
“They just looked like they were enjoying life,” one longtime ally said. “They looked like they were reveling in the moment.”
The two portraits, both painted by African-American artists, differ greatly from the stately, formal portraits of other pas presidents and first ladies — all of them white.
It’s now a top tourist attraction in Washington, D.C., with the first lady’s portrait recently moved to meet the high demand.
It hasn’t all been parties and shows for Obama since he left the White House — though there have been quite a few.
Obama left the White House at the relatively young age — for an ex-president — of 55.
It’s an age that leaves time for business and free-time.
The former president has been knee-deep in work on his foundation and recently returned from a dizzying week-long tour to Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and Japan.