Obama photographer mocks Trump’s handwritten notes with images of predecessor’s writings

Former White House photographer Pete Souza poked fun at President Trump’s handwritten notes by comparing them to past notes by former President Obama.

In an Instagram post Wednesday, Souza shared two photos side-by-side, with the first showing a viral close-up image of handwritten notes Trump used while speaking to reporters about the public impeachment hearings.

“I want nothing. I want nothing. I want no quid pro quo. Tell Zellinsky [Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky] to do the right thing,” the page reads in thick black marker.

The second photo in the post was a picture Souza snapped of notes Obama made while in office, showing the former president holding a yellow booklet of pages filled with nearly 40 lines of notes written in small print and what appears to be black pen ink.

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Great storytelling image by Mark Wilson of Getty Images showing comrade minus’s handwritten remarks today.⁣ ⁣ Swipe to see an almost identical image I made of President Obama a few years ago.⁣ ⁣ #ThrowShadeThenVote

A post shared by Pete Souza (@petesouza) on Nov 20, 2019 at 10:47am PST

In the post’s caption, Souza thanked Getty Images photographer Mark Wilson, who captured the viral image of Trump’s notes, for taking a “great storytelling image.”

“Great storytelling image by Mark Wilson of Getty Images showing comrade minus’s handwritten remarks today,” Souza wrote. “Swipe to see an almost identical image I made of President Obama a few years ago.”

Earlier this week, Souza, who has been critical of Trump, also criticized White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham after she accused Obama officials of leaving “you will fail” notes behind in the White House for Trump aides.

Souza shared a photo of Obama leaving a note in the Oval Office for Trump and first lady Melania Trump, which read: “Michelle [Obama] and I wish you and Melania the very best as you embark on this great adventure, and know that we stand ready to help in any ways we can. Good luck and Godspeed…” 

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Current White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham claims Obama officials left “you will fail” notes in offices for Trump aides.⁣ ⁣ Here’s President Obama leaving a note in the Resolute Desk for his successor. He concluded his note with these words: ⁣ ⁣ “Michelle and I wish you and Melania the very best as you embark on this great adventure, and know that we stand ready to help in any ways we can. Good luck and Godspeed…"

A post shared by Pete Souza (@petesouza) on Nov 19, 2019 at 8:39am PST

Grisham’s accusations about notes allegedly left by Obama staffers was also denied by a number of Obama aides earlier this week, including former national security adviser Susan Rice, who tweeted: “This is another bald faced lie.”