Josh Earnest, once former President Barack Obama’s mouthpiece, called the day after Trump’s 2016 victory the toughest of his career. Speaking at the National Association of Hispanic Journalists conference in Chicago, he peeled back the curtain on a White House grappling with shock and a bruised ego. The mood, he admitted, was downright "emotional," as The Guardian reports.

Earnest, Obama’s press secretary from 2014 to 2017, recounted the bitter pill of Trump’s win over Hillary Clinton.

The Obama team had spent months warning about Trump’s potential presidency, only to see their fears materialize. Yet, they had to swallow hard and ensure a smooth handover, nuclear codes and all.

During the 2016 campaign, the Obama administration sounded alarms about Trump’s rise. Earnest himself didn’t see the upset coming, confessing, “I did not think he was going to win.” His candor reveals a team caught flat-footed, despite their loud warnings.

White House struggled in wake of eletion

Intelligence reports of Russian meddling in the 2016 election added fuel to the fire. The Obama crew had to defend these findings while prepping to hand power to a man they’d painted as a threat. Talk about a tightrope walk!

Earnest described a demoralized communications staff, visibly shaken by Trump’s triumph. He and his aides rallied them to refocus for Obama’s final two months. It’s a stark reminder: elections don’t pause for hurt feelings.

Obama, ever the pragmatist, called Earnest to plan a Rose Garden speech to address the nation. Earnest warned him that the staff was reeling, their morale in tatters. The former president didn’t flinch, but he knew the room needed steadying.

Obama’s Oval Office pep talk

In a poignant moment, Obama gathered staff in the Oval Office, standing beside then-Vice President Joe Biden. He delivered an early version of his speech, urging unity: “We are Americans first.” For many staffers, it was their first time in that hallowed space.

Pete Souza, Obama’s photographer, captured the scene as the team absorbed their leader’s words. The call for patriotism over partisanship was noble, but let’s be real -- Trump’s win stung deeply. Obama’s plea for unity sounds nice, but it glosses over the bitter divide.

Earnest’s reflections, shared with ABC7 Chicago’s Tanja Babich, painted a vivid picture of a White House in crisis mode. “It was very poignant,” he told her, summing up the Oval Office huddle. The image of a deflated staff clinging to duty is hard to shake.

Trump’s jab at Earnest

Trump didn’t let Earnest off easy, slamming him as a “foolish guy” at a December 2016 rally. The president-elect mocked Earnest’s defense of intelligence reports on Russia, sneering, “He is so bad.” Classic Trump -- never one to mince words.

Earnest’s job wasn’t just about spin; it was about holding the line against skepticism. Defending the Russia interference claims while prepping for Trump’s inauguration was a masterclass in eating crow. Yet, he soldiered on, as duty demanded.

In the immediate aftermath of his White House tenure, Earnest tried his hand as a media pundit but found it hollow.

“I wasn’t doing journalism,” he admitted, calling it “pretty close to entertainment.” The confession exposes the media circus for what it often is -- a stage, not a truth factory.

Earnest’s move to United Airlines

Since 2018, Earnest has been a top spokesperson for United Airlines in Chicago. Swapping political hot seats for corporate ones, he has left the Beltway behind.

It’s a quieter gig, but one wonders if he misses the chaos.

The NAHJ conference gave Earnest a platform to reflect on a pivotal moment. His stories humanize the Obama team’s struggle but also highlight their disconnect from the voters who chose Trump. Hindsight’s 20/20, and Earnest’s tale reeks of it.

Trump’s 2016 win wasn’t just a political earthquake; it was a rebuke to the establishment’s warnings. Earnest’s account shows a White House scrambling to save face while handing over the keys. It’s a lesson in humility for those who think they’ve got the future figured out.