Lip-readers poring over footage showing the Washington DC inauguration on Monday have suggested the popular ex-President made a risky joke while standing behind Mr Trump
Barack Obama was caught live on camera making a cheeky inauguration remark to George Bush while Donald Trump was taking the stage this week.
Mr Obama was sat alongside his predecessor at the 47th President’s inauguration on Monday, which was also attended by fellow two-termer George Clinton and then-outgoing President Joe Biden. They scored front-row seats for the event, which allowed the millions of members of the public to catch a glimpse of remarks traded by the foursome.
Among the viewers was forensic lip reader Jeremy Freeman, who closely watched Mr Obama as he arrived at the venue on Monday and interacted with his fellow guests. He has suggested the former President took the opportunity to joke with Mr Bush about halting a second Trump term.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Mr Freeman said it appeared as though Mr Obama joked: “How can we stop what’s happening?” Mr Bush, the 43rd President, returned the suggestion with a polite chuckle, and was seen laughing as the two applauded while standing to either side of his wife Laura.
Mr Freeman offered his analysis with a caveat, however, saying his body language made it difficult to understand exactly what was said at the time. Instead, he said the statement was among that could be understood when considering the lip patterns and context. But he wasn’t the only lip reader to draw the conclusion.
Hearing-impaired lip reader Jackie G also suggested Mr Obama quizzed Mr Bush how to “stop what’s happening” at Trump’s inauguration. The interaction was one of several that drew attention on Monday, with another exchange between Barron Trump and outgoing Mr Biden also attracting questions.
The outgoing President greeted Mr Trump’s youngest son on stage before his father’s inauguration, and was seen leaning in for a convivial handshake with the former Commander-in-Chief. Smiling Mr Biden obliged, and offered a greeting, but his smile dissipated when Barron leaned in.
Social media users have suggested Barron said something that bothered Mr Biden, who Mr Freeman suggested said: “It’s good to see you man.” Users joked that he said “you’re fired” or “you’re done”, and “wiped the smile off his face”, but the forensic lip-reader believes it was something much more tame.
He believes Barron said “exactly”, a puzzling but hardly aggressive response. Further footage has suggested he may not have said anything to Mr Biden at all. Slightly more zoomed out footage showing the moment captures Barron moving to shake hands with his dad’s former rival, Kamala Harris.
Mr Biden’s reaction, in this case, may have been nothing more than him relaxing his face muscles after his smiley greeting with the teenager.