And we just can’t cope.
With Obama’s presidency over and Donald Trump now sworn into office, it’s safe to say the start of 2017 has been emotional. Especially so when Obama delivered his farewell address on January 11th.
‘Every day I learned from you,’ Obama informed the audience. ‘You made me a better President and you made me a better man.’ He went on to outline his achievements in office and the importance of democracy.
The most moving part of the speech, however, was his tribute to his incredible wife and first lady, Michelle, who sat on the front row and was given a standing ovation by the crowd.
‘Michelle LaVaughn Robinson, girl of the South Side, for the past 25 years, you’ve been not only my wife and mother of my children, you have been my best friend’ he told her. ‘You took on a role you didn’t ask for and you made it your own with grace and grit and style and good humour. You made the White House a place that belongs to everybody.’
He then went on to pay tribute to his daughters, Malia and Sasha, telling them: ‘Of all that I’ve done in my life I’m most proud to be your dad’, before bringing his speech to an emotional close. Like we weren’t crying enough already!
‘My fellow Americans, it has been the honour of my life to serve you, I won’t stop; in fact, I will be right there with you, as a citizen, for all my days that remain’ Obama announced. ‘For now, whether you’re young or young at heart, I do have one final ask of you as your President – the same thing I asked when you took a chance on me eight years ago.’
He continued: ‘I am asking you to believe. Not in my ability to bring about change – but in yours.
I am asking you to hold fast to that faith written into our founding documents; that idea whispered by slaves and abolitionists; that spirit sung by immigrants and homesteaders and those who marched for justice; that creed reaffirmed by those who planted flags from foreign battlefields to the surface of the moon; a creed at the core of every American whose story is not yet written: Yes We Can. Yes We Did. Yes We Can.’
During Obama’s powerful address and in the hours, days and weeks that followed, many celebrities took to social media to share their pride of America’s 44th President and to honour his legacy.
Some, like US talk show host, Andy Cohen, took the moment to share his favourite memory with the President, playing Plead the Fifth with him at a charity dinner hosted by SJP. Have dinner party guest lists (and decor) ever been better? We’ve got a serious case of FOMO.
Others however, took to Twitter to say a few words.
How the A-list reacted to Obama’s farewell speech on social media
Ellen DeGeneres
.@POTUS @BarackObama I love you more than I have space on Twitter to describe. #ObamaFarewell
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) January 11, 2017
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, we’ve had a wonderful time together.
Posted by Ellen DeGeneres on Thursday, January 19, 2017
Katy Perry
Me right now ?? https://t.co/gW55C1wrwd
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) January 11, 2017
Kerry Washington
YES WE CAN #obamafarewell
— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) January 11, 2017
Elizabeth Banks
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
Zendaya
Me watching my president Obama's farewell address tonight…I'm not gonna be able to do it y'all… pic.twitter.com/RQoaY5HEPV
— Zendaya (@Zendaya) January 11, 2017
Sharon Stone
"Be vigilant but not afraid."
So great #ObamaFarewell— Sharon Stone (@sharonstone) January 11, 2017
Amanda Seyfried
"Reality has a way of catching up with you" -Obama's mom.
— Amanda Seyfried (@AmandaSeyfried) January 11, 2017
Michelle Williams
Awwwwwwwww!!! I'm officially slain!! The love for Michelle Obama is too much for words! I'm excited for the entire family and their future!
— Michelle Williams (@RealMichelleW) January 11, 2017
Gabrielle Union
Already crying. Love my president #FarewellAddress @BarackObama
— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) January 11, 2017
Ne-Yo
I don't want this speech to end. #ObamaFarewell
— NE-YO (@NeYoCompound) January 11, 2017
Cher
When The President & First Lady
Leave the White House ….
We Will be The Custodians Of HOPE??— Cher (@cher) January 11, 2017
Whoopi Goldberg
U R the last President my mom & brother were alive 4 the last president we all shared so U will always represent the best of times 2me ?❤??
— Whoopi Goldberg (@WhoopiGoldberg) January 11, 2017
And BOOM…THAT is the way a President drops the microphone and moves on down the road
— Whoopi Goldberg (@WhoopiGoldberg) January 11, 2017
Shonda Rhimes
Here to show our love for our Potus. #obamafarewell https://t.co/8JG5FRW955 pic.twitter.com/raZCfhSGhT
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) January 11, 2017
Niall Horan
Don't get me started but I'm going to miss the obamas . The nicest family on earth .
— Niall Horan (@NiallOfficial) January 11, 2017
Taylor Schilling
Yes we can. #FarewellObama
— Taylor Schilling (@TaySchilling) January 11, 2017
Michelle Obama