Fact Check: Did Barack Obama Say Reporters Are Supposed to Be Skeptics?
Claim:
During his final news conference as president, Barack Obama thanked reporters, stating, “You’re not supposed to be sycophants. You’re supposed to be skeptics,” and, “You’re not supposed to be complimentary, but you’re supposed to cast a critical eye on folks who hold enormous power.”
Rating: Correct Attribution
Context and Background
Amid ongoing debates and legal battles regarding presidential administrations restricting press access—such as actions taken by Donald Trump—critics frequently compare how different commanders-in-chief have interacted with the media. On social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, users often resurface a quote attributed to Barack Obama during his final White House press briefing in January 2017 to highlight a contrasting philosophy on the press.
The circulating quote reads:
“I have enjoyed working with all of you. That does not, of course, mean that I’ve enjoyed every story that you have filed, but that’s the point of this relationship. You’re not supposed to be sycophants. You’re supposed to be skeptics. You’re supposed to ask me tough questions. You’re not supposed to be complimentary, but you’re supposed to cast a critical eye on folks who hold enormous power.”
Verification
A review of the official video footage from Obama’s final presidential news conference confirms that the statement is authentic. At approximately the 1:48 mark of the recording available via the official Obama White House YouTube channel, the former president delivers these exact remarks.
Furthermore, the wording matches official transcripts archived by both the American Presidency Project and the Obama White House archives:
“But I have enjoyed working with all of you. That does not, of course, mean that I’ve enjoyed every story that you have filed. But that’s the point of this relationship. You’re not supposed to be sycophants, you’re supposed to be skeptics. You’re supposed to ask me tough questions. You’re not supposed to be complimentary, but you’re supposed to cast a critical eye on folks who hold enormous power and make sure that we are accountable to the people who sent us here.
And you have done that. And you’ve done it, for the most part, in ways that I could appreciate for fairness even if I didn’t always agree with your conclusions. And having you in this building has made this place work better. It keeps us honest. It makes us work harder. It made us think about how we are doing what we do and whether or not we’re able to deliver on what’s been requested by our constituents.”
The attribution of these remarks to President Barack Obama is completely accurate.