The Obamas are finally back inside The White House.
Current Events :
On Wednesday, President Joe Biden did what Donald Trump pettily refused to do: he followed a decades-long tradition by formally unveiling commissioned paintings of former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama.
Since 1978 when then-President Jimmy Carter started the tradition by welcoming former President Gerald Ford back to The White House to unveil official portraits of Mr. Ford and his wife, Betty, presidents of both political parties have put partisanship aside and honored their immediate predecessor with an unveiling celebration. Carter did it for Ford. Reagan did it for Carter. Even Obama did it for Bush II.
That tradition ended with Donald Trump.
Yes, Trump allowed his personal animosity (and likely jealousy) toward Barack Obama to get in the way of honoring America’s first Black president. In fact, Trump bitterly refused to allow any photo or portrait of the Obamas to be displayed anywhere inside The White House during his tenure.
Thankfully, President Biden has now turned that wrong into a right.
The official portraits of the Obamas were unveiled inside the East Room, with family, friends, and even former administrative officials on hand to honor the former first couple. The paintings were commissioned by the White House Historical Association and were brought to life by Robert McCurdy, who painted the former president, and Sharon Sprung, who painted the former first lady.
“It is great to be back,” Mr. Obama said of his 2nd visit to The White House since leaving office, while it was Mrs. Obama’s first time back since moving out in 2016.
“I want to thank Sharon Sprung for capturing everything I love about Michelle: her grace, her intelligence, and the fact that she’s fine,” Mr. Obama said, to cheers and chuckles from President and Mrs. Biden. “And I want to thank Robert McCurdy for taking on a much more difficult subject,” he said in jest regarding the portrait of himself.
FORMER PRESIDENTIAL PORTRAITS:
“Welcome home!” President Biden, who served as Mr. Obama’s vice president, told the Obama family in his greeting.
Donald Trump may have hoped that his actions meant the Obamas would never be honored or displayed at The White House. However, on Wednesday, The Obamas and The Bidens resumed the storied tradition and reveled in the moment almost as if the Trump years never happened.
No word yet on whether Mr. Biden will honor ‘The Donald’ and Melania with a portrait at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Stay tuned…
OK WASSUP! covers Current Events:
The Obamas are honored with official portraits.
Thanks DJ – was hoping you would cover this and you did not disappoint!
I’ll get to Trump in a minute…….
First, I want to start by saying the portraits are beautiful! But…
Wow!!! It was so incredible seeing Pres. Obama and his lovely wife Michelle back inside the White House! Such a beautiful couple, they personify elegance and Class. And the eloquent way in which both of them speaks is like music to my ears!
Honestly, I didn’t realize how much I really missed them…Until yesterday! And I suspect there are millions of Americans (and even people around the world) who feel the same way! And for brief time yesterday, WE had them back in the White House!