Just in time for Juneteenth and during her address to the gathered US Presidents, minus one and the dignitaries and celebrities former first lady Michelle Obama drew laughter from attendees during the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center when she praised former President Barack Obama’s leadership and accomplishments.
President Obama said “ To George and Laura, Bill and Hillary, we're grateful for your friendship, counsel, and devotion to this country. And to Joe and Jill, thank you for being on this journey with us.“
Speaking at the event, Michelle Obama described her husband as "unflappable" and praised his demeanor during his presidency.
"You were unflappable at every turn, always focused, always calm, always looking at the long view," she said. "How absurd it is to even imagine that you might have buckled under the pressure even once, lashed out in frustration, lost your temper. How absurd it is to imagine that you might have done anything but make our family and this entire country proud."
Later in her remarks, she highlighted several accomplishments of the Obama administration.
"You were doing the people's work, rescuing our economy, expanding healthcare, ending a war, ordering the Bin Laden raid, saving an auto industry, winning a peace prize," she said.
Michelle Obama paused after mentioning the Nobel Peace Prize, prompting applause and laughter from some audience members. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who was seated among the guests, was seen laughing, as was Barack Obama.
Michelle Obama continued by citing additional achievements of the administration, including efforts to combat the Ebola outbreak, financial regulations enacted after the 2008 financial crisis, support for marriage equality and responses to national tragedies.
"Keeping us safe from Ebola, regulating the banks, standing up for marriage equality, listening to science, and comforting an entire nation in the face of unspeakable tragedies," she said. "And you did it all with such grace and class and cool that you made the hardest job in the world look like a walk in this beautiful park."
Some observers interpreted the Nobel Peace Prize reference as a subtle political jab at only living president who was not there, President Trump, who has publicly discussed his interest in receiving the award. Neither Michelle Obama nor Barack Obama directly mentioned him during the remarks.