"Now you know who's running the country"— Internet reacts to Barack Obama seemingly disagreeing with Joe Biden at Ethel Kennedy Memorial Service
A seemingly tense conversation between former US President Barack Obama and current US President Joe Biden recently made waves on social media. The conversation was reportedly filmed when the two met at the late Ethel Kenndy's memorial service on October 16, 2024, held at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington, DC.
In the 44-second clip, Obama seemingly disagreed with something Biden said. The conversation continued for a while before the former president turned away from Biden, who then reached out and touched his arm to get his attention. The talk came to an end when Bill Clinton, who was standing next to the pair, gestured at something in front of them.
The clip went viral on social media, especially among the MAGA crowd. Many claimed the snippet asserted who was running the country from behind the scenes, with one person tweeting:
Several agreed with the sentiment, adding that Biden, formerly the Vice President during Barack's two-term presidency, looked scared.
"Biden looks scared to death," one person tweeted.
"Obama is worried he won't get his fourth term," another person added.
"I think it should be concerning for anyone- no matter what your political affiliation may be that Obama who no longer holds political office has so much influence and power over a sitting President," someone else commented.
"It’s pretty clear who the head POTUS in charge is, and it ain’t Biden," another user added.
Others wondered what the two men were discussing during the service, with one user likening their conversation to a scene from The Godfather.
"Speaking in a church with the church organ playing so they can't be overheard or taped is straight out of 'The Godfather'," one person tweeted.
"I predict that this will be the most studied video in the history of mankind," another person added.
"Obama: "Listen Joe, we know you're sabotaging Kamala's campaign." Biden: "Ah c'mon man, guess what, and by the way." Obama: "Joe, we're revoking your ice cream privileges until you get your act together," someone else tweeted.
"Who can read lips?" another netizen commented.
Barack Obama gave a eulogy during Ethel Kennedy's memorial service
Both Barack Obama and Joe Biden eulogized Ethel Kennedy during her memorial service, held a week after the Kennedy matriarch died at 96 on October 10. The former president applauded Kennedy for helping "inspire the idealism of an entire generation."
"Most Americans got to know Ethel as a wife, mother, and grandmother—you can hear some of those great-grandchildren as we speak—the woman who, standing alongside her husband, helped inspire the idealism of an entire generation. She helped raise a legion of changemakers and public servants, and she was proud of those roles," he said.
Meanwhile, Biden praised her for her iron will and grace while standing up for human rights throughout her life, calling her an "American icon."
Ethel was former US president JFK's sister-in-law. She was married to his brother Robert, a US Senator who was assassinated in 1968. The couple shared 11 children, whom Ethel raised on her own following her husband's death.
In other news, the Obamas have shown their support for US VP and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in the upcoming elections. Both Michelle and Barack gave speeches at the Democratic National Convention in August.
The former president continued his campaign trail for Harris with the first pitstop in Pennsylvania on October 10, where he urged Black men to support Harris. He is expected to continue his campaign in Detroit on October 22.