#87: Obama’s Speechwriter David Litt on How to Inspire, Persuade, and Entertain

What’s it like to work in the White House as a presidential speechwriter — at the age of 24, no less? That’s what we asked David Litt, who did just that when he entered the White House in 2011, serving as one of President Obama’s speechwriters until 2016. Described as the “comic muse for the president,” David also led the White House Correspondents’ Dinner presentations and had a hand in adding humor to many of President Obama’s speeches.

In a live discussion in Chicago, David talked about what it was like working in the Obama White House, why a President’s words matter, and how he managed the enormity of crafting jokes for the Leader of the Free World.

Please enjoy our conversation with David Litt, moderated by University of Chicago Senior Associate Dean, Jeremy Edwards.