Former President Barack Obama elevated President Joe Biden, while former first lady Michelle Obama indirectly undercut former President Donald Trump during their official White House portrait unveiling.
The former first couple’s highly anticipated return to the White House coincides with new reporting on Barack Obama and Biden’s at-times rocky relationship as Democrats prepare for November’s midterm elections.
OBAMA RETURNS TO WHITE HOUSE, WHERE HE’S UPSTAGED BIDEN BEFORE
The former president praised Biden on Wednesday for guiding the country “through some perilous times,” telling the crowd gathered in the White House East Room, “It is now America’s good fortune to have you as president.”
“You built on and have gone beyond the work we all did together to expand healthcare, to fight climate change, to advance social justice, and to promote economic fairness,” he said to a standing ovation. “Thanks to your decency. And thanks to your strength. And, maybe most of all, thanks to your faith in our democracy and the American people, the country is better off than when you took office, and we should all be deeply grateful for that.”
Barack Obama adopted a lighter tone, joking about how photorealistic artist Robert McCurdy did not paint his ears smaller and convinced him not to wear a tan suit, while the former first lady took a more serious approach. Michelle Obama, who choked back tears at moments, underscored how traditions, such as the unveiling, “matter” after Trump postponed their ceremony.
“Not just for those of us who hold these positions but for everyone participating in and watching our democracy,” she said.
Michelle Obama, whose portrait was painted by Sharon Sprung, alluded to Trump when she added she and her husband had been “lucky enough to serve … as long as the people choose to keep us here.”
“Once our time is up, we will go on, and all that remains in this hallowed place are our good efforts and these portraits,” she said. “So for me, this day is not just about what has happened. It’s also about what could happen.”
Barack Obama and Biden’s famed “bromance” has been reexamined before the publication of The Long Alliance: The Imperfect Union of Joe Biden and Barack Obama, due to be released next week. Although Obama once described choosing Biden as his vice president as “one of the best decisions I ever made,” Gabriel Debenedetti reports in his book that he considered replacing Biden with Hillary Clinton before the 2012 election.
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The Obamas have been candid about their distaste for Trump, who declined to host the unveiling during his administration because of their mutual dislike. Michelle Obama has blamed Trump’s bellicose rhetoric and unencumbered style of politics, including casting doubt on her husband’s eligibility for the presidency, for endangering her family.
