PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
Barack, Michelle Obama sign book deals
Barack and Michelle Obama have book deals.
The former president and first lady have signed with Penguin Random House, the publisher announced Tuesday. Financial terms were not disclosed for the books, which several publishers had competed for, although the deals are likely in the tens of millions of dollars.
Both Obamas have published through Crown, a Penguin Random House imprint. But Penguin Random House declined to comment on which imprint or imprints the books would be released through.
“We are absolutely thrilled to continue our publishing partnership with President and Mrs. Obama,” Penguin Random House CEO Markus Dohle said in a statement.
The Obamas plans to donate a “significant portion” of their author proceeds to charity, including to the Obama Foundation. Barack Obama’s book is a strong contender to attract the largest advance for any ex-president; the previous record is believed to be $15 million for Bill Clinton’s “My Life.”
Winfrey rethinks presidential run after victory by Trump
Oprah Winfrey says President Donald Trump’s victory has her rethinking whether she could be elected to the White House.
Winfrey, a Hillary Clinton supporter, spoke with financier David Rubenstein in December for an interview for his Bloomberg Television show, which premiered this week. Winfrey says before Trump’s election she thought that she didn’t have the necessary government experience to run the country but now she thinks differently. The billionaire businessman had never before held public office before his election victory in November.