Level Four: Humor

“This is your house too.” First Lady Michelle Obama

President Barack Obama cracks jokes at the White House Correspondent’s Dinner, Washington, D.C. 2009. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama meets with the Dalai Lama in the Map Room of the White House, Washington, D.C., 2014. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

“Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis, ” 2014. Courtesy of Funny or Die.

President Barack Obama greets a young superman in the Lower Cross Hall of the White House on Halloween, Washington, D.C. 2016. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

First Lady Michelle Obama joins Sesame Street's Elmo and Rosita to announce that Sesame Workshop and the Produce Marketing Association joined the Partnership for a Healthier America at the White House, Washington, D.C., 2013. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

First Lady Michelle Obama greets visitors at the White House during a Fourth of July celebration on the South Lawn with military families, Washington, D.C., 2013. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama joins members of The Four Tops in a rendition of the song “I’ll be There” in the Oval Office of the White House, Washington, D.C., 2014. Courtesy of Brian Mosteller.

Keegan-Michael Key interviewed by the Kunhardt Film Foundation for Life Stories and the film Obama: In Pursuit of a More Perfect Union (2021). Courtesy of HBO/Kunhardt Film Foundation (Life Stories).

President Barack Obama holds six-month-old Talia Neufeld, daughter of departing staff member Adam Neufeld, in the Oval Office of the White House, Washington, D.C., 2013. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama greets people while taking a walk from the White House to the Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C, 2014. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama meets families from the Children's Miracle Network hospitals, 2012. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama greets a child in the Blue Room of the White House, Washington, D.C., 2016. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama talks to students at the 6th White House Science Fair, Washington, D.C., 2016. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

First Lady Michelle Obama appears on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon ” in a skit called “The Evolution of Mom Dancing: Part 2.” LATE NIGHT WITH JIMMY FALLON Courtesy of Universal Television, LLC.

First Lady Michelle Obama films a promo for her initiative, “Let’s Move” with 2013 NBA Champion Miami Heat players, LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade and Ray Allen at the White House, Washington, D.C., 2014. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

First Lady Michelle Obama and kids double-dutch jump rope on Nickelodeon's Worldwide Day of Play, on the South Lawn of the White House, Washington, D.C., 2011. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama sings a line from Al Green's song, "Let's Stay Together" during a fundraiser held at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York City, NY, 2012. Courtesy of ABCNEWS VIDEOSOURCE.

President Barack Obama laughs with aides aboard Air Force One en route to Singapore, 2009. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama fist-bumps a medical professional in the Green Room of the White House, prior to the start of a health care event, Washington, D.C., 2010. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

First Lady Michelle Obama hosts the White House Campout as part of the "Let's Move! Outside" initiative, with Girl Scouts on the South Lawn of the White House, Washington, D.C., 2015. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama dance with Stormtroopers in the Diplomatic Room of the White House, Washington, D.C. 2016. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library. R2-D2 unit and First Order Stormtroopers Costumes; Star Wars © & ™ Lucasfilm Ltd. 

President Barack Obama jokes about texting at the Benjamin Banneker Academic High School in Washington, D.C., 2016. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama puts his toe on the scale as Trip Director Marvin Nicholson tries to weigh himself during a hold in the volleyball locker room at the University of Texas in Austin, TX, 2010. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama carries a birthday cake to surprise Chief of Staff Denis McDonough in his West Wing office, Washington, D.C., 2013. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama jokes during the final White House Correspondent’s Dinner of his Administration, Washington, D.C., 2016. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama greets people outside of Air Force One as he travels to New Mexico, 2010. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama fist-bumps custodian Lawrence Lipscomb in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building following the opening session of the White House Forum on Jobs and Economic Growth, Washington, D.C., 2009. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

I’LL BE THERE. Performed by The Four Tops.Written by Bob West, Willie Hutch, Hal Davis and Berry Gordy. Published by EMI Blackwood Music, Electric Fuzz Publishing, Jobete Music and Hipgnosis Side B.

LET’S STAY TOGETHER. Performed by President Barack Obama. Written by Al Green, Al Jackson and Willie Mitchell. Published by Sony Music Publishing/Hipgnosis Side B and Irving Music Inc on behalf of itself and Al Green Music.

“NAISSANCE” Music by BENJAMIN JOSEPH STAFFORD BEINY; Published by MPATH FIVE INTO (SESAC); Courtesy of APM MUSIC.