Did Obama Throw Shade At Trump During His White House Portrait Unveiling?

Former President Barack Obama on Wednesday reminded America about his uncanny sense of comedic timing when he delivered a string of zingers as he and former first lady Michelle Obama made their triumphant return to the White House for the unveiling of their official portraits.

But to kick off his address, the 44th president made an off-color reference that may or may have not been an indirect jab at his controversial successor, Donald Trump.

From knocking former White House staffers for not naming their children after him and offering a wisecrack about his wife’s beauty to mocking his own “tan suit” non-controversy, the first Black president of the United States showed that no target was safe during what transitioned from comedic relief to an inspiring speech about the prospects of America’s future.

After President Joe Biden introduced the former first couple and invited them to the stage to unveil their portraits by artists Robert McCurdy and Sharon Sprung, respectively, there was one moment of levity in particular that stood out. That was when Obama began his address by remarking on how good it felt to return to the White House.

“It is good to be back,” Obama said smiling before setting up an apparent punchline: “We’ll try not to tear up the place.”

'We'll try not to tear up the place'

Former US President Barack Obama cracks a joke and says "it is good to be back" in the White House as he and former First Lady Michelle Obama unveil their official portraits.https://t.co/PAiZ4D1jU3

Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 pic.twitter.com/OD3k7kiXBr

— Sky News (@SkyNews) September 7, 2022

The audience erupted with laughter at eight words that on the surface seemed innocent enough. But a deeper look suggests Obama could have very well been talking about Trump with a brilliant double entendre that is at once easily deniable and perfectly explainable.

“We’ll try not to tear up the place…hehe”

_BarackPettyObama

— BREONNA TAYLOR is AUIYM (@cbr_OLU) September 7, 2022

Rumblings on social media showed people suspected the same and wondered if that was a dig at the recent raid on Trump’s residence at his Mar A Lago resort in Florida, where federal agents conducted a raid that reportedly left the premises in shambles. The operation to retrieve classified documents that Trump illegally removed from the White House particularly rendered Melania Trump’s closet a “mess,” according to reports fueled by Trump himself.

“We will try not to tear up the place.” President Obama, just now, about being in a govt, building. His wit never fails. Never.

— Changfucius (@TheChangfucius) September 7, 2022

However, Obama also could have been making a reference to the Jan. 6 Committee testimony of star witness Cassidy Hutchinson — a former aide to Mark Meadows, Trump’s White House chief of staff — who claimed under oath that she witnessed Trump throw a tantrum — and food.

Obama..” thank you for allowing us to bring a few friends. We’ll try not to tear up the place!” Laughter erupted! Boy do I miss this man as our leader!! pic.twitter.com/wL6SeU6sgx

— Wild Southern Magnolia (Momma Kat) (@mac8156) September 7, 2022

She specifically testified going to the White House dining room after hearing a loud noise only to find a “valet” cleaning up a “mess” on the wall that came from food. Notably, Hutchinson referred to “ketchup” which she said was smeared on the wall. On the floor was a broken porcelain plate, Hutchinson said.

Obama just did it again. "Thanks for letting us invite a few friends to the White House.We will try not to tear up the place."

— Phyllis for U.S. Congress (@PhyllisDHHall) September 7, 2022

“The valet had articulated that the president was extremely angry at the attorney general’s AP interview, and had thrown his lunch against the wall,” Hutchinson testified in June.

“We’ll try not to tear up the place.” -President @BarackObama at his portrait unveiling pic.twitter.com/EujUTredxF

— Mario Leal (@MLealTX) September 7, 2022

Could be the multi-tiered “mess” Obama joked he wouldn’t make while at the White House.

“Thank you for having us and some friends over today, (pause) We’ll try not to tear the place up” #Obama #portrait #WhiteHouse

— Mongo just pawn in game of life. (@greevy64) September 7, 2022

It’s unlikely Obama was talking about the Capitol insurrection, which resulted in multiple deaths from a violent, racist mob incited by Trump. That, of course, is no laughing matter.

Barack had his own MIC DROP moment just now! "Thank you, Joe, for inviting us to the White House. We will try not to tear up the place!"

Their portraits look amazing! President Biden's speech brought me to tears.

— Melissa (@nursemelbelle) September 7, 2022

Maybe Obama’s line wasn’t even about Trump and was simply some kind of inside joke? But those prospects don’t seem likely when considering Obama was reading from remarks he probably prepared and approved while aware the event would be televised nationally.

"We will try not to TEAR UP THE PLACE," @BarackObama at @WhiteHouse Portrait Unvailing.
LOL LOL LOL LOL
You know what he meant by that! Clue: the trump stealing

— Nydia Gutiérrez (@nyds007) September 7, 2022

However, the possibility that Obama could be taking a shot at Trump isn’t a stretch of the imagination by any means. In fact, he has more than a decade of experience doing so. Beginning with his legendary speech at the 2011 White House Correspondents dinner, Obama’s roasting came as Trump was in the audience, his orange face turning red with a wry smile belying what was later described as “fury.”

Whatever the case was, Obama’s speech promoted his wife to acknowledge his “spicy remarks.”

Michelle Obama: Let me thank my husband for such spicy remarks pic.twitter.com/Nj9wpjw0sG

— Acyn (@Acyn) September 7, 2022

But then Michelle Obama went on to have her own words that were possibly about Trump with commentary about the tradition of peaceful transfers of presidential power.

“I do recognize why moments like these are important,” she said about unveiling the portraits. “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.”

She punctuated that statement with: “We hold an inauguration to ensure a peaceful transition of power.”

Oh.

SEE ALSO:

New Book Reveals Obama Reportedly Called ‘Lunatic’ Trump A ‘Corrupt Motherf***er’

‘He Messed It Up’: Read Obama’s Full Scathing Rebuke Of Trump In First Campaign Speech For Biden

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