A Complete Timeline of Barack Obama's Most Viral Moments
Charismatic and funny, President Barack Obama made it easy for the country to fall in love with him when he was first elected in 2008. Add on the rise of social media during his eight years in office, and every captured glimpse of his personality quickly led to countless "viral" moments. From unscripted comments during speeches to his adorable way with kids, the president's lovable candor is only small part of why, especially in these last days, we'll truly miss him.
Here are some of the most memorable moments:
April 2008, Obama Brushes the Dirt Off His Shoulder
While campaigning for president, Obama addressed negative political ads about him by doing his best Jay Z and brushing his shoulders off. The crowd went wild.
2009, Little Boy Touches Obama's Hair
White House photographer Pete Souza captured this iconic image of then 5-year-old Jacob Philadelphia, the son of a staffer, who told the president, "I want to know if my hair is just like yours." "Why don't you touch it and see for yourself?" Obama replied. The photo hung in the West Wing for eight years and was mentioned by Michelle Obama in her 2016 Democratic National Convention speech.
June 2009, Obama Swats a Fly During an Interview
In the middle of an on-camera CNBNC interview with John Harwood, the president killed a pesky fly and even insisted the cameraman document it.
September 2009, Obama Calls Kanye West a "Jackass"
Following Kanye West's infamous "Imma let you finish" MTV VMA's stunt, Obama commented, "The young lady [Taylor Swift] seems like a perfectly nice person, she's getting her award...he's a jackass."
February 2010, "The Election's Over"
During a healthcare summit, Obama and his opponent in the 2008 presidential election, Arizona Senator John McCain, went head to head. "Let me just make this point, John. Because we're not campaigning anymore. The election is over," Obama told him.
April 2011, Obama Trolls Birthers
At the White House Correspondent's dinner, the president mocked Donald Trump and other people who doubted he was born in the U.S. with a brilliant, troll-y move. "I am releasing my official birth video," he said, then played the famous opening of The Lion King.
June 2011, Obama, the Baby Whisperer
During a White House congressional picnic, Michelle Obama held a baby who would not stop screaming. As soon as she was in the president's arms, she immediately calmed down–the look on Michelle's face was priceless.
January 2012, Obama Sings Al Green
At a fundraiser for the Apollo Theater, the president surprised the crowd when he burst out into Al Green's "Let's Stay Together." His reelection campaign even turned his rendition into a ringtone downloadable on his official website.
July 2012, the Obamas Caught on the Kiss Cam
While watching the U.S. Olympic basketball team play in Washington, Michelle and Barack Obama shared a kiss on the jumbotron with some encouragement from their daughter, Malia. The moment is captured below at 0:55.
July 2012, Obama Greeting Kevin Durant
At the same basketball game, Obama visited Team USA before the warm up. When it came to Kevin Durant, he skipped the formal handshake. The Internet had a field day with his code-switching and Key & Peele even turned it into a hilarious skit in 2013.
September 2012, the Bear Hug
Pizza restaurant owner Scott Van Duzer gave Obama the hug seen 'round the world, literally picking him up off his feet. "Look at these guns!" Obama said upon meeting him.
January 2013, "I'm Not Seeing This Again"
After his second inauguration, Obama took one last, long look at the crowd before walking away.
April 2013, Obama Meets Kid President
Obama invited viral sensation "Kid President" Robby Novak to the Oval Office for some touching one-on-one-time.
March 2014, Obama Appears on "Between Two Ferns"
Obama got interviewed by Zach Galifianakis and proved he could roll with the punches. When Galifianakis asked him if he wished he could run a third time, he responded, "Running a third time would be like doing a third hangover movie–didn't really work out did it?"
September 2014, Obama Disappoints Student When He's Not Beyoncé
While anyone would be thrilled to meet the president, a sixth grader who joined him in packing toys for homeless children told him she was underwhelmed. "I really wanted it to be Beyoncé," she said. "I understand, Malia and Sasha would feel the same way," he replied. Michelle chimed in, too, "I'd rather see Beyoncé."
January 2015, "I have no more campaigns to run"
During his State of the Union address, Obama said, "I haven no more campaigns to run," and was met with applause from Republicans. He clapped back, "I know, because I won both of them."
March 2015, Mean Tweets
Obama took part in one of Jimmy Kimmel's most popular segments, reading "mean tweets" about himself like, "How do you make Obama's eyes light up? Shine a flashlight in his ears."
June 2015, Obama Sings "Amazing Grace"
At the funeral of South Carolina State Senator Clementa Pinckney, Obama sang the classic church song and had the entire crowd join in, on their feet.
October 2015, Obama Meets the Baby Pope
Every Halloween, the White House opens its doors to children of military families and local school kids. Last year, Obama lost it when he met a baby dressed up as the Pope–Popemobile and all. "Top prize!" the president declared.
November 2015, "Pop Off"
In response to critics, a fed-up Obama candidly said, "If folks wanna pop off and have opinions about what they think they would do, present a specific plan." The moment was even turned into a song:
April 2016, Obama's Mic Drop
At the final White House Correspondents Dinner, he closed his speech saying, "Obama out," then literally dropped his mic.
June 2016, Obama Makes Joe Biden a Friendship Bracelet
For a Buzzfeed-produced PSA on registering to vote, Obama made Joe Biden a friendship bracelet. It has a pizza slice (or is that a pie slice?) on it! Biden gave everyone a closer look on the president's birthday. Awwww.
June 2016, Obama Slow Jams the News
Obama did a "slow jam" segment for the second time (he did it first in 2012), now reflecting on his achievement over the past eight years.
June 2016, "Barack, Can You Handle This?"
When President Obama, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Mexico's Enrique Peña Nieto met at the North American Leaders Summit, the photographs of them walking down the red carpet immediately became meme fodder. Destiny's Child, Charlie's Angels, you name it.
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