Barack Obama, the 44th and current president of the United States is not only the first African American to hold office, but is the first president to go viral as well. Serving in the Oval Office during a time when social media became prominent aspect of daily life, President Obama's words, actions, and images are constantly shared, tweeted, and posted about.
With the many successes of his administration throughout his presidency, such as a decrease in the nation's unemployment rate, ending the war in Iraq, and repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (Washington Monthly), along with the many criticisms/oppositions towards his administration, President Obama has had both a voluntary and involuntary spotlight within the social media world. When stepping into the Oval Office, presidents often have plans and strategies as to how they would like to be portrayed on national media, doing their best to shape their reputation to their liking. Regardless of where on the political spectrum one may stand, however, through President Obama's both scripted and unscripted actions, it's impossible to deny that he's one of the coolest, suavest, most playful, and most humorous presidents our nation has ever seen.
Here's some of the best of Obama:
1. President Obama shows off his vocals.
On multiple occasions, President Obama has decided to serenade his audience and exercise his vocal cords. For example, during a fundraiser at the Apollo Theatre when President Obama sang some Al Green, or his soulful, heartfelt rendition of "Amazing Grace" at the Charleston memorial service, or when he slow-jammed the news with Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
2. His cultural adaptability.
President Obama has smoothly and nonchalantly communicated his bicultural adaptability, appropriately, humanly, and effortlessly adapting himself when necessary. His most famous moment would be his immediate difference in greetings between a white staffer and Kevin Durant in the Team USA locker room (Huffington Post).
3. President Obama welcomes bear hugs.
Visiting a restaurant in Florida, owner bear hugs Mr. President out of excitement, and he welcomes it completely (CNN).
4. He "cracks" jokes.
When his pastry chef was leaving the White House, President Obama commemorates him hilariously, referring to him as the "Crust Master," speculating whether or not he puts crack in his incredible pies.
5. President Obama's video with BuzzFeed.
Watch it, it's self-explanatorily amazing.
6. He's got the moves.
7. He hired an anger translator.
At his Correspondents' Dinner in 2015, President Obama delivered possibly the most hilarious White House Correspondents' Dinner addresses ever, as he hired Keegan-Michael of Key and Peele to be his "anger translator," who expressed Obama's "real thoughts" after he delivered them professionally (Grabhouse).
8. Obama released his "birth video."
At the 2011 White House Correspondents' Dinner, President Obama poked fun at settling the controversy of releasing his birth certificate by humorously going "a step further" and releasing his "birth video" at the dinner, which was strikingly similar to the Circle of Life scene from The Lion King. Afterwards, he wittily poked fun at Fox News.
9. "I want to know if my hair is just like yours.”
In this photo, President Obama bows to young Jacob Philadelphia, who asked the president if his hair felt the same as his own, allowing him to see for himself. "Yes, it does feel the same," Jacob replied afterwards. In this, President Obama's humanity shines through, and he "remains a potent symbol for blacks, with a deep reservoir of support" (NY Times).
10. His infamous mic-drop.
Approaching the end of his presidency, which was filled with triumphs, humor, wit, collectedness in the face of harsh adversity, opposition and criticism- and the end of this article- there's only one way to appropriately wrap it up:
Obama, out.
