Former US President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, returned to the White House for the unveiling of their official portraits on last Wednesday. The event, hosted by President Biden and first lady Jill Biden in a packed East Room of the White House, revived a tradition of presidents welcoming their predecessors — regardless of party — that was among the norms that went on hiatus during the presidency of Donald Trump.
“Barack and Michelle, welcome home,” Biden said at the outset of his remarks during a jovial ceremony in which he praised Obama and his wife as “two dear friends” and “two great Americans.” Later, addressing Biden, Obama said it is “America’s good fortune to have you as president.”
Barack Obama in his speech said: “these portraits by Robert McCurdy and Sharon Sprung will hang in the White House alongside portraits of other presidents and first ladies dating back to George and Martha Washington. I want to thank Sharon Sprung for capturing everything I love about Michelle. “
I’ve always described the presidency as a relay race.
He added: “You take the baton from someone, run your leg as hard as you can, then hand it off to someone else. The portraits hanging in the White House chronicle the runners in that race—each of us tasked with trying to bring the country we love closer to its highest aspirations. When future generations walk these halls and look up at these portraits, I hope they get a better sense of who Michelle and I were. And I hope they leave with a deeper understanding that if we could make it here, they can do remarkable things, too.”
But Michelle Obama speech was more captivating. She started by saying: Today, Barack and I returned to the White House to unveil our official portraits. It was so exciting to share Sharon Sprung and Robert McCurdy’s incredible artistry with the world—and to be back in the place we called home for eight years.
But this day isn’t about us—it’s about all of you. It’s about all the work and service that so many of you have put in to help make this country a little better. And it’s a reminder that if a biracial kid with an unusual name and the daughter of a water pump operator and a stay-at-home mom can end up on the walls of the most famous address in the world—then every young kid who’s doubting themselves can, too. That’s what this country is about. And that’s why we must continue to strive and struggle until that aspiration can be a reality for every child growing up today.
