Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick sharply criticized former President Barack Obama's education policies during an appearance on "The Alex Marlow Show" on Saturday, accusing them of undermining the American working class by prioritizing liberal arts colleges over practical skills training.
Lutnick described how Obama's approach led to widespread student debt and diminished opportunities for those suited to hands-on work. "What it did was it broke people's spirit," Lutnick explained. "Because when I grew up, I had shop class, and there were kids who liked working with their hands, who were good at it, who could make a living doing it."
The Commerce Secretary, a key figure in the Trump administration, highlighted Obama's economic policies as leaving millions of Americans burdened with debt from degrees he characterized as worthless, steering youth away from trade skills toward four-year universities.
Lutnick's remarks pointed to Obama's education agenda, which he said pushed students into institutions promoting what he called woke ideology, rather than celebrating the dignity of work and supporting trade schools.
Under Obama's tenure, Lutnick argued, the U.S. shifted focus from producing skilled workers—such as those proficient in fixing tires, repairing pipes, or building with their hands—to generating graduates versed in topics like systemic racism, while nations like China trained engineers and manufacturers.
The comments come amid ongoing discussions about vocational education, with Lutnick contrasting his own experiences in shop class against what he sees as a systematic dismantling of America's foundation of pride in craftsmanship.
Lutnick also referenced Obama's past remarks on "bitter clingers," framing them as part of a broader disconnect from the values of American workers during the former president's time in office.
