President Barack Obama Delivers Emotional Farewell Address -- Celebs React with Love, Passion and Tears
Barack Obama delivered his final formal address as president of the United States on Tuesday with an impassioned, profoundly moving speech that reflected on all the nation has accomplished during the last eight years and the obstacles that lay ahead.
Obama, who spent much of his speech encouraging political involvement and warning against complacency, also shared his thanks with the people in his life who helped him the most over his two terms in office -- First Lady Michelle Obama and their daughters, Sasha and Malia.
MORE: The Obama Family's Big 2016: The 12 Best Moments from the President's Last Year in Office
"Michelle – for the past twenty-five years, you've been not only my wife and mother of my children, but my best friend," an emotional Obama said to his wife. "You took on a role you didn't ask for and made it your own with grace and grit and style and good humor. You made the White House a place that belongs to everybody. And a new generation sets its sights higher because it has you as a role model. You've made me proud. You've made the country proud."
Addressing his daughters, the President praised them for how they've handled growing up "under the strangest of circumstances" and in the public eye, sharing, "Of all that I've done in my life, I'm most proud to be your dad."
Obama also shared his appreciation with his vice president and good friend, Joe Biden, telling the 74-year-old veteran politician, "You were the first choice I made as a nominee, and the best. Not just because you have been a great vice president, but because in the bargain, I gained a brother."
Throughout his elegant and deftly delivered oration, celebrities, politicians and journalists took to Twitter and Instagram to share their love for the outgoing president, as well as the class and statesmanship he brought to the White House.
Already crying. Love my president #FarewellAddress @BarackObama
— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) January 11, 2017
Thank you for your service @BarackObama and @MichelleObama. #ObamaFarewell
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) January 11, 2017
Thank you, thank you, thank you...a million times...thank you.
A photo posted by Zendaya (@zendaya) on Jan 10, 2017 at 7:03pm PST
Never doubt the power of a beautiful speech. Elegant, calm, smart & positive. #ObamaFarewell
— Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) January 11, 2017
Half of America is ugly crying right now. PLEASE DON'T GO @POTUS!!!!!! #ObamaFarewell
— Sally Kohn (@sallykohn) January 11, 2017
A photo posted by Omar Epps (@omarepps) on Jan 10, 2017 at 6:15pm PST
I love u @POTUS In good times & bad the buck stopped w you. Thank u for being a true leader & for 8 yrs of astounding, immeasurable progress
— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) January 11, 2017
A photo posted by Shemar Moore (@shemarfmoore) on Jan 10, 2017 at 6:29pm PST
Please don't go. #ObamaFarewell
— Audra McDonald (@AudraEqualityMc) January 11, 2017
I will miss @Barackobama so much he has a big heart, represents everything that is America, and has limitless compassion for the people 😢😢😢😢
— Jay Pharoah (@JayPharoah) January 11, 2017
.@POTUS @BarackObama made me proud to be an American as he reminded us of the power of democracy & unity. #ObamaFarewell
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 11, 2017
A photo posted by Chris Colfer (@hrhchriscolfer) on Jan 10, 2017 at 7:06pm PST
While Obama only briefly mentioned President-Elect Donald Trump by name, it was clear that much of his speech was aimed at the fear and trepidation many Americans are feeling at the prospect of his impending reign. That concern regarding the incoming president was evident in many posts.
Barack Obama simply says "My fellow Americans..." and the crowd cheers, because those words will mean something very different in 9 days...
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) January 11, 2017
This #ObamaFarewell is beautiful. The love. Could Trump soak up all this warmth?
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) January 11, 2017
You lost me at "the future is in good hands" #ObamaFarewell
— Natasha Leggero (@natashaleggero) January 11, 2017
However, it was Obama's inspiring words and call to action -- along with his promise that he won't stop fighting for the country and for freedom, even as a private citizen -- that seemed to invigorate people the most, especially when he concluded his speech with the motivating words that became the slogan of his first presidential campaign in 2004: "Yes we can!"
Yes We Can, Yes We Did & Yes We Will. Blessings Mr President. Thank You 🙏🏾🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 #ObamaFarewell
— Dulé Hill (@DuleHill) January 11, 2017
YES! "All of us, regardless of party, should throw ourselves into the task of rebuilding our democratic institutions." @POTUS #FarewellObama
— Adrian Grenier (@adriangrenier) January 11, 2017
This classy eloquent #ObamaFarewell on the heels of today's latest #PEOTUS crap is invigorating my patriotic soul. #vigilantbutnotafraid
— Elizabeth Banks (@ElizabethBanks) January 11, 2017
YES WE CAN #obamafarewell
— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) January 11, 2017
Check out even more of the wide range of celeb reactions to Obama's farewell address below.
A photo posted by Ariana Grande (@arianagrande) on Jan 10, 2017 at 6:52pm PST
You may disagree w/ president on a lot. But Barack Obama & family have given us such dignity & class. Nonpartisan thanks.
— Scott Simon (@nprscottsimon) January 11, 2017
If you're wondering what Presidential looks like, turn on your TV right now. #ObamaFarewell
— Raymond Braun (@raymondbraun) January 11, 2017
It was pretty cool to have a president who reads books. #ObamaFarewell
— Emma Gray (@emmaladyrose) January 11, 2017
I hope @realDonaldTrump is watching #ObamaFarewell - b/c @BarackObama is showing how you act presidential. Watch and learn!
— MazJobrani (@MazJobrani) January 11, 2017
#ObamaFarewell - thoughts on race. #TrumpRally - racist thoughts.
— Jeffrey Wright (@jfreewright) January 11, 2017
We're a nation of immigrants and a nation of hatred and a nation of love, but mostly we're a nation of people wanting to be loved
— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) January 11, 2017
For eight years of hope, decency, and dedication to the cause of making people's lives better: thanks @POTUS. #ObamaFarewell
— Al Franken (@alfranken) January 11, 2017
Going from Obama to Trump gotta be the biggest downgrade in history. I can't. #ObamaFarewell pic.twitter.com/gGgFRl2K0M
— Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) January 11, 2017
Me watching President Obama speak. pic.twitter.com/4EUT3AwAGB
— Gabby SidiBae (@GabbySidibe) January 11, 2017
Goose bumps of pride, witnessing history as our magnificent president says farewell. #ObamaFarewell
— Rev Jesse Jackson Sr (@RevJJackson) January 11, 2017
This classy eloquent #ObamaFarewell on the heels of today's latest #PEOTUS crap is invigorating my patriotic soul. #vigilantbutnotafraid
— Elizabeth Banks (@ElizabethBanks) January 11, 2017
The networks should play this speech on a daily basis for the next four years. #propagandaIcangetbehind #ObamaFarewell
— Michelle Collins (@michcoll) January 11, 2017
Malia is making me sob
#OneLastTime #ObamaFarewell #YesWeDid pic.twitter.com/nZPR18oIVX— Holly Robinson Peete (@hollyrpeete) January 11, 2017
President Obama is a good man who has made our economy, country, & planet safer - & has given us hope. Thank you, @POTUS. #ObamaFarewell
— Elizabeth Warren (@elizabethforma) January 11, 2017
Walks off to Springsteen's "Land of Hope and Dreams". And now for something completely different... #ObamaFarewell
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) January 11, 2017
Keeping this in mind...
"The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice." - Martin Luther King Jr. #ObamaFarewell— Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) January 11, 2017
Here to show our love for our Potus. #obamafarewell https://t.co/8JG5FRW955 pic.twitter.com/raZCfhSGhT
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) January 11, 2017
My takeaway from this speech is that we must fight fear. We all have a role. We must embrace the role of citizenship. Politics can be better
— Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) January 11, 2017
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