The official White House portraits of former president Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama were unveiled in a ceremony Wednesday in the East Room. During the event, Mrs. Obama delivered a powerful speech in which she took an apparent dig at Donald Trump, highlighting the significance of a peaceful transition of power once a presidency comes to an end.
“You see, the people that make their voices heard with their vote. We hold an inauguration to ensure a peaceful transition of power,” the former first lady said. “Those of us lucky enough to serve work, as Barack said, as hard as we can for as long as we can, as long as the people choose to keep us here. And, once our time is up, we move on. And all that remains in this hallowed place are our good efforts and these portraits,” Mrs. Obama added.
The first lady spoke about her humble background and growing up in Chicago, telling the audience that “a girl like me, she was never supposed to be up there next to Jacqueline Kennedy and Dolly Madison.”
“Even if it’s all still a bit awkward for me, I do recognize why moments like these are important. Why all of this is absolutely necessary. Traditions like this matter. Not just for those of us who hold these positions but for everyone participating in and watching our democracy,” Obama said.
The former First Lady also said that the portraits symbolize telling a “fuller story” that includes “every single American ” and stressed the significance of democracy amid a time of divisiveness in the U.S.
“As much as some folks might want us to believe that that story has lost some of its shine, that division and discrimination and everything else might have dimmed its light, I still know deep in my heart that what we share, as my husband continues to say, is so much bigger than what we don’t. Our democracy is so much stronger than our differences,” Obama said.
President Biden hosted the ceremony after Trump had declined to host the Obamas for the unveiling, which is traditionally hosted by first-term presidents for their immediate predecessors.
The former first lady’s name is often floated as a popular potential presidential candidate, especially if Biden chose to not run again in 2024 amid speculation due to his age. A poll from November found that many Democrats want to see her run. In that poll, she was the second lead for a 2024 Democratic candidate if Biden decided not to run, ranking just 3 points behind Vice President Harris.
Watch part of Mrs. Obama’s speech in the videos below:
Michelle Obama: For me this day is not about what has happened, it’s also about what could happen because a girl like me, she was never supposed to be up there next to Jacqueline Kennedy… pic.twitter.com/wG4up44Ne2
— Acyn (@Acyn) September 7, 2022
Michelle Obama: “Traditions like this matter. Not just for those of us who hold these positions, but for everyone participating in and watching our democracy … We hold an inauguration to ensure a peaceful transition of power … Once our time is up, we move on.” pic.twitter.com/paa4QasGVq
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 7, 2022
Michelle Obama: “What we are looking at today — a portrait of a biracial kid with an unusual name and the daughter of a water pump operator and stay-at-home mom — what we are seeing is a reminder there is a place for everyone in this country.” pic.twitter.com/noW86ASkBN
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 7, 2022
