Risk, Reward And Plenty Of Photo Ops: The History Of Presidential Travel Abroad

In the early days of the American republic, the idea of a president traveling abroad was considered taboo; critics said it invited corruption. But presidents have made some of their most memorable speeches and influential policies on overseas trips.

Here & Now's Jeremy Hobson talks with historians Ed Ayers (@edward_l_ayers) and Brian Balogh (@historyfellow), who say understanding past presidential journeys may shed light on President Trump's inaugural trip abroad.

Ayers and Balogh are co-hosts of the podcast BackStory, which is produced at the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities.