While speaking at the University of North Carolina, he honored her, saying, “She has gone home.” It was difficult for him to talk about, as he had hoped she would see him become the first African American president in U.S. history.
Honoring Senator Daniel Inouye
During the funeral of Daniel Inouye, a long-serving senator from Hawaii, Obama was once again moved to tears. Inouye had been an inspiration to him, as an Asian-American politician who served the country for nearly five decades.
Obama admired his leadership and the respect he commanded. He reflected on how Inouye’s career had shown him what was possible in his own life.
Fighting for Gun Control
The Sandy Hook tragedy had a lasting impact on Obama. In January 2016, he spoke passionately about the need for stronger gun control laws. As he talked about the innocent children who had lost their lives, he became emotional, saying, “Every time I think about those kids, it gets me mad.”
He later admitted that his failure to pass “common sense gun laws” was one of his biggest frustrations as president.
Aretha Franklin’s Performance
One of the lighter yet deeply emotional moments during Obama’s presidency came in 2015. During a tribute to singer Carole King in Washington, the legendary Aretha Franklin performed “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.”
Her powerful voice and passionate performance moved Obama to tears. The moment was captured on video and quickly became a viral sensation, showing the world how much music and art could touch the human heart.
Throughout his presidency, Barack Obama showed that he was not just a leader but also a deeply emotional and compassionate person.
These moments defined his time in office and left a lasting impression on people around the world.