Obama's 7 Best Clapbacks

Looking back on Barack Obama's almost—but never actually—petty moments we loved.

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Image via Getty/Leigh Vogel

barack obama

The moment we’ve all dreaded is upon us: We’re replacing America’s first black president with its first orange one. Over the next four years, we can “look forward” to having no health care, exacerbated climate change, privatized schools (and increased student debt), more endangered and extinct species, and of course, the rise of hate crimes. But while the memory is still fresh, let’s take time to relish our seven favorite Obama clapbacks, when he was almost (but never actually) petty, and had us nodding along like crazy:

7. "Hillary, I'm looking forward to you advising me as well."

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Before Obama was even president, in the more hopeful days of 2008, Democratic candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton gathered in Iowa for their last debate. Things got heated when Obama was asked “what new foreign policies he could offer with a staff of so many ex-Clinton advisers,” according to Huffington Post. Clinton laughed and said, “I’m looking forward to hearing that.” Obama took a beat to let laughter quiet and then said, “Hillary, I’m looking forward to you advising me as well.”

6. "I mean it's like some 'Love and Hip-Hop' stuff."

When Clinton and Trump were sparring off in what felt like the most contentious presidential race in history, Obama took the time to compare the campaigns to Love and Hip Hop.

5. "Don't boo—vote."

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During Obama’s speech at the 2016 Democratic National Convention, the crowd booed when he mentioned Trump. Without missing a beat, POTUS quipped, "Don't boo, vote” which became a call to action people still invoke.

4. "I like to know what I'm talking about before I speak."

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In 2009, Obama was asked why there was a delay in expressing outrage over AIG executive bonuses, according to Media Research Center. In response, he said, “Because I like to know what I’m talking about before I speak”—even sadder in hindsight now that we’re inaugurating a late-night-tweeting bully with no filter.

3. "I know because I won both of them."

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In his 2015 State of the Union address, Barack Obama said, “I have no more campaigns to run.” When he was met with sarcastic applause and jeering from Republicans, Obama followed up with a straight-faced, “I know because I won both of them.”

2. The Boss

https://twitter.com/ira/status/822159525541253122

With more and more celebrities speaking out against Trump including Meryl Streep and YG, artists have also taken a stance by refusing to perform at his inauguration. After a Bruce Springsteen cover band—not even the actual musician—pulled out of the inauguration line-up, Obama thanked his staff by having the Boss himself play a two-hour set.

1. "If folks wanna pop off..."

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In November 2015, a CNN reporter asked President Obama, “Why can’t we take out these bastards?” about ISIS. Obama replied, “If folks want to pop off and have opinions about what they think they would do, present a specific plan.”

We collectively lost our shit with Twitterstorms and even one amazing remix.

While we have four years of rolling back human rights ahead of us, we should have faith that there’s still hope. The majority of millennials voted against Donald Trump and today’s protesters are made up of many young people. If the youth and the next generation of Obama’s are any indicator—our future is still bright.

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