Semkiw, who has written two books on reincarnation, viz. , "Return of the Revolutionaries", focusing on cases of personalities reincarnated from the time of the American Revolution and "Born Again" which features reincarnation cases of Indian celebrities, says that he arrived at Obama’s past life in a similar manner: through a combination of psychic sessions as well as background research. About his research on Trumbull, Semkiw says that he found many similarities between him and Obama. After finishing law school, Trumbull moved to Illinois in the 1830s, where he set up a practice. He represented African-American slaves many times against slave-owners. In addition, says Semkiw, Trumbull was a great orator - one who could move people with his words, a quality that Obama also possesses.

"If we accept the case of Trumbull having reincarnated as Obama, it also sends out an important message that individuals can change race from one incarnation to another," says Semkiw. "Imagine how much more peaceful the world would be if we all realised that identification with one’s particular race, nationality, sect or religion is just a temporary one and that it can change from lifetime to lifetime.”