The First Digital Presidency

Senator Barack Obama speaks to a crowd gathered on the lawn of the old State Capital Building Springfield, Illinois. Obama announced to the crowd that he would seek the Democratic nomination for President, 2007. Scott Olson/Getty Images.

Senator Barack Obama speaks to supporters at the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois. Obama officially launched his quest to become the first African-American president of the United States, 2007. Mladen Antonov/AFP via Getty Images.

View of the homepage of the MySpace social networking website, 2007. Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images.

A Blackberry mobile device, 2007. AP Photo/CP, Adrian Wyld.

Packages of DVDs await shipment at the Netflix headquarters, 2002. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images.

Netflix DVDs, 2003. Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images.

Netflix streaming service in 2007, Netflix. 

A blogger holds up a laptop during day one of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the Pepsi Center, Denver, CO, 2008. John Moore/Getty Images. 

Macon Phillips during the Presidential campaign, 2008. Obama for America. 

The New Media Team at Obama for America, 2008. Obama for America. 

Facebook. Getty Images. 

Twitter, 2010. Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images.

YouTube webpage, 2007. ​​Newscast/Universal Images Group via Getty Images.

Website for Obama for America, 2008. Obama for America. 

A look at Obama's use of the internet in his campaign, 2008. AP Television.

The inauguration of President Barack Obama outside of the U.S. Capitol building with views down the Mall and of the swearing in, 2008. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

White House website for the Campaign to Cut Waste, 2009. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Streaming version of the first weekly Presidential Address, 2009. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

The Facebook page for President Barack Obama, 2009. Getty Images.

White House website, “Improving Health for All Americans,” 2009. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Buzzfeed PSA showing President Barack Obama, 2015. Provided by BuzzFeed, Inc.

President Barack Obama visits Alaska's Kenai Fjords National Park to discuss climate change.

National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama takes questions from Facebook users in a Town Hall from Facebook's headquarters in Palo Alto, CA. 2011. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

First Lady Michelle Obama posts her first tweet from an official White House account, 2011. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

First Lady Michelle Obama’s first post to Instagram, 2013. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

A social media post for “Let’s Move!” posted by First Lady Michelle Obama, 2016. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

First Lady Michelle Obama uses a prop tin-can telephone during a conference call interview with Kip President during a videotaping in the Map Room of the White House ,2014. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

First Lady Michelle Obama announces via social media that the White House is lifting the ban on cameras and photos on the White House public tour, 2015. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library

Big Bird visits Michelle Obama in the White House Kitchen for a “Let's Move!” promo, 2013. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

First Lady Michelle Obama posts to Vine about Turnips, National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

First Lady Michelle Obama posts about farmers’ markets and student inspired cookbooks, 2016. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

First Lady Michelle Obama’s face over the Snapchat logo. Snapchat icon is a registered trademark of Snap, Inc. 

First Lady Michelle Obama social media post with students after first harvest, 2015. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Entertainment Tonight reporter Rocsi Diaz interviews First Lady Michelle Obama about her stance on the use of social media, 2014. Entertainment Tonight/CBS Media Ventures /Veritone.

First Lady Michelle Obama tapes a "Let's Move!" public service announcement with 2013 NBA Champion Miami Heat players LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, in the Map Room of the White House, 2014. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Barack Obama is sworn in as the 44th President of the United States by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts in front of the Capitol in Washington, D.C., 2009. Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images.

Headline: “Jobless rates Top 8%, Highest in 26 Years.” Used with permission. © 2009. Dow Jones & Company, Inc. 

President Barack Obama hosts "Open for Questions" a virtual town hall meeting on the economy from the White House, Washington, D.C., 2009. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama answers questions during a virtual interview with Google+ and Americans from around the country to discuss his State of the Union Address., 2013. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama engages in a live Q and A on YouTube and Facebook, National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama participates in a live interview with YouTube content creators in the East Room of the White House, 2015. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama and Jason Furman, chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, discuss some good news for our economy, 2016. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Obama kicks off the Twitter Town Hall with a Tweet asking the American people for their ideas on reducing the deficit, 2011. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

An audience member uses an iPhone to tweet a question as President Barack Obama and Twitter co-founder and Executive Chairman Jack Dorsey hold a "Twitter Town Hall" in the East Room of the White House in Washington, 2011. AP Photo/Charles Dharapak.

President Barack Obama uses a Macbook laptop during his live-tweet during the first ever Twitter Town Hall in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., 2011. AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais.

President Barack Obama at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, MI, 2011. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Launch page for the “We the People” petition portal on the White House website. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama answers a tweet from House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio during a "Twitter Town Hall" in the East Room of the White House in Washington,D.C., 2011. AP Photo/Charles Dharapak.

White House social media post. Today the White House responded to a We the People petition that asked the Obama Administration to commit to vetoing any legislation that extends the Bush tax cuts for the 1%. Check out the response on We the People.” National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama meets with advisors in the Oval Office before participating in a Twitter Town Hall meeting at the White House, 2011. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

First Lady Michelle Obama takes a selfie with Summyka Qadir and Deepa Kumari, of Pakistan, Noor Abu Ghazaleh, of Jordan, at Bernard B. Jacobs Theater, in New York City, NY, 2016. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

First Lady Michelle Obama meets with people in Columbus, OH, 2012. Christopher Dilts for Obama for America.

Volunteer Mayo Ozeki, left, prepares ballots at a polling station in San Francisco, CA on election day, 2012. David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images.

President Barack Obama delivers remarks during a town hall meeting on the economy at Racine Memorial Hall in Racine, WI, 2010. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama makes remarks following a day without email at the White House, 2009

AP.

Students take pictures of President Barack Obama with digital cameras as he delivers a speech about strengthening America's education system at Wright Middle School in Madison, WI, 2009. 

National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

A woman uses a Blackberry mobile device, 2008. Alex Wong/Getty Images.

Apple iPhone. Pond5.

Social media site on a laptop, 2009. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images.

Person using social media on a laptop, 2009. David Paul Morris/Getty Images.

Person using a Blackberry mobile device, 2011. Pond5.

Man reads his Twitter account during a workshop at the PhotoCamp Houston where 200 people are expected at the Houston Technology Center in Houston, TX, 2009. Mayra Beltran/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images.

A person in the audience at Monaco RV manufacturing in Indiana uses their cell phone to record President Barack Obama's remarks on the economy, 2009. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama greets people following a ceremony to honor the French and American Alliance, at a World War I Memorial at the Hotel de Ville in Cannes, France, 2011. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama visits a rural community, 2010. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

First Lady Michelle Obama embraces children during her visit to Siete de Enero school in Mexico City, 2010. REUTERS/Eliana Aponte.

President Barack Obama takes a selfie with a patron at the West Side Market in Cleveland, OH, 2012. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama delivers the commencement address and congratulates graduates of Kalamazoo Central High School, Kalamazoo, MI, 2010. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Credit page for “West Wing Week.” National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

First Lady autographs a student’s apron after a “Let’s Move” cooking demonstration

First Lady Michelle Obama autographs a student's apron following a "Let's Move!" cooking demonstration with Italian and American middle school students at the James Beard American Restaurant, Milan, Italy, 2015. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama speaks in the Rose Garden about investing in infrastructure to boost the economy and create jobs, 2010. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama read a story to children at the White House Easter Egg Roll, 2010. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

A press event with Sunny, a Portuguese water dog adopted by the Obamas in 2013. Jewel Samad/AFP via Getty Images.

First Lady Michelle Obama takes a selfie with the family dog, Bo, on the South Lawn of the White House, 2013. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama promotes voter registration in “5 Things That Are Harder Than Registering To Vote,” 2016. Provided by BuzzFeed, Inc.

First Lady Michelle Obama dances with the Super Sprowtz during a visit to La Petite Academy in Bowie, MD, 2014. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama participates in a town hall meeting moderated by CEO Mark Zuckerberg at Facebook headquarters in Palo Alto, CA, 2011. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

First Lady Michelle Obama talks with students, educators and leaders about her “Let Girls Learn” initiative, London, England, 2015. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

First Lady Michelle Obama greets guests along a ropeline following the Joining Forces Community Challenge event on the South Lawn of the White House, 2012. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

First Lady Michelle Obama meets with students and counselors to discuss youth violence at William R. Harper High School in Chicago, IL, 2013. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

First Lady Michelle Obama at Christ's Church College in Oxford, England, 2011. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

First Lady Michelle Obama greets audience members following her remarks at the Tribal Youth Gathering in support of the Generation Indigenous (Gen-I) and Reach Higher initiatives, at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington, D.C., 2015. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

First Lady Michelle Obama performs Uptown Funk at the annual Easter Egg Roll, 2015. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Shaquille O'Neal participate in a musical run and musical hoops activity with students during a back to school Let's Move! Active Schools event at Orr Elementary School in Washington, D.C., 2013. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

First Lady Michelle Obama delivers remarks and participates during the mentee graduation in the Blue Room of the White House, 2016. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Screen capture of President Barack Obama's Summer Music Playlist on Spotify. 

President Barack Obama’s 2016 Summer Reading List. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama shares his NCAA bracket with ESPN’s Andy Katz, 2010. Courtesy of ABCNEWS VIDEOSOURCE.

President Barack Obama jokes with members of the Dallas Mavericks at the White House before honoring the team and their 2011 NBA Championship victory, 2012. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama listen to Aretha Franklin perform "A Natural Woman” at the Kennedy Center Honors, 2015. Courtesy of The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

President Barack Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha shop for books at Politics and Prose in Washington, D.C., on Small Business Saturday, 2014. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

White House videographer Arun Chaudhary, left, and White House photographer Pete Souza photograph President Barack Obama in Port Fourchon, LA., as he tours areas affected by the disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, 2010. AP Photo/Evan Vucci.

Chuck Kennedy, Official White House Photographer, takes pictures of the Pope's parade route from the roof of the White House, 2015. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama works with Adam Garber, Director of Video for Digital Strategy, Nate Emory and Rachel Kopilow, Senior Video Producer, during an interview on climate change, on the South Lawn Driveway of the White House, 2015. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

White House videographer Hope Hall works with President Barack Obama at the White House, 2012. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama and Personal Secretary Anita Decker watch a video in the Outer Oval Office, 2012. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama greets senior staff in the residence of the White House to celebrate the House vote on health care reform H.R. 4872, 2010. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama talks on the phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Oval Office of the White House, 2014. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama greets members of the audience following a ceremony honoring the 2012 BCS National Champion University of Alabama Crimson Tide football team on their 15th championship, on the South Lawn of the White House, April 15, 2013. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama and Personal Aide Reggie Love, Personal Aide to the President, share a laugh outside the Oval Office in the White House, 2009. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

First Lady Michelle Obama greets Keniya Brown, a guest invited by DC Child and Family Services Foster Care system, in the Blue Room prior to the Take Your Daughters and Sons to Work Day event in the East Room of the White House, 2016. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama and Press Secretary Robert Gibbs walk through the Rose Garden back to the Oval Office after the outdoor senior staff meeting on a pleasant summer day in Washington, 2009. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama celebrate with outgoing Social Secretary Jeremy Bernard and incoming Social Secretary Deesha Dyer in the Ground Floor Corridor following the State Dinner at the White House, 2015. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama meets with Scott Gration, Special Envoy to Sudan, 2010. 

National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

United States Digital Service staffers. U.S. Digital Service. 

President Obama meets with formerly incarcerated Americans who had their sentences commuted in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, 2016. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama delivers remarks on health care reform and the Patient’s Bill of Rights at the Brayshaw residence in Falls Church, VA, 2010. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

White House social media post: "Renewing this bill is an important step towards making sure no one in America is forced to live in fear, and I look forward to signing it into law as soon as it hits my desk." –President Obama on the passage of the Violence Against Women Act today." 2013. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

White House social media post: “Last year, FLOTUS met with young people in Africa to highlight the power of education. #TBT #USAfrica #ReachHigher 2014. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

White House social media post: “Happy Father's Day! This weekend, the First Family headed to Yosemite National Park for a summer adventure to celebrate 100 years of the @nationalparkservice. See more from their trip at go.wh.gov/ParksTrip.,” 2016. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

White House social post: “Ahead of Memorial Day, President Obama met with service members and their families at the Marine Corps Air Station in Iwakuni, Japan,” 2016. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

First Lady Michelle Obama with Sesame Street’s Elmo and Rosita, makes a “Let's Move!” announcement about marketing healthier foods to children, in the State Dining Room of the White House,2013. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

White House social media post: “These parks belong to all of us. This planet belongs to all of us. It’s the only one we’ve got. —President Obama today in @YosemiteNPS. Before his speech, the President and First Lady @MichelleObama met with a group of fourth graders visiting Yosemite. Go to EveryKidInAPark.org to learn how President Obama is giving free passes to every fourth grader in the country to visit our national treasures. #ActOnClimate #EveryKidInAPark #FindYourPark.,” 2016.

National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

First Lady Michelle Obama participates in a photo line prior to an event to celebrate College Signing Day as part of her Reach Higher initiative at the Harlem Armory in New York City, NY, 2016. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama discusses the Siemen's plant during a visit to Jerry's Family Restaurant, Mt. Pleasant, IA, 2010. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama speaks with veterans, Atlanta, GA, 2016. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

First Lady Michelle Obama visits the Mulberry School in England, 2015. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama meets with three young Americans who responded heroically to a dangerous situation on a train in Paris at the White House, 2015. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama shakes hands with Phil Schiliro, Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs, in the Oval Office, after learning they had secured a yes vote on health care reform from a Member of Congress, 2010. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama meets with Lucy Coffey, a veteran of the Women's Army Corps in World War II, 2014. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

First Lady Michelle Obama participates in Let Girls Learn Snapchat media time with Kevin Vincent and Jeremiah Hall, the creators of the "Running Man Challenge" in the Cross Hall of the White House, 2016. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

White House social media post: “Hi everyone! My name is Pany Faed, Deputy Associate Directory in the @WhiteHouse Social Office. Today, I am taking you behind-the-scenes of the First Lady's Nowruz event at the White House. For those who may not know, Nowruz is....” 2016. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

White House social media post: “Tune in at 2:30pm ET as @POTUS says a farewell to the men and women of America's Armed Forces,: 2017. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama spends time in Parkville, Missouri stopping in shops along Main Street. 2014. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

A FEMA contractor reviews paperwork in anticipation of releasing a new mobile home to Hurricane Katrina evacuees, D'Iberville, MS, 2015. Patsy Lynch/FEMA/National Archives.

Federal tax forms are distributed at the offices of the Internal Revenue Service, 2005. Scott Olson/Getty Images.

Photograph of a federal employee viewing the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey on a computer, 2018. Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images.

The White House, Washington, D.C., Getty Images.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan speak with students working on FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) forms during a workshop at T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, VA, 2014. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Workforce case manager Christel Forrest assists Spc. Matthew Springett in a computer job search at a military career fair for National Guardsmen, veterans and their families, Columbia, SC, 2012. John Moore/Getty Images.

Vets.gov, built in partnership with leaders at VA, 2015 U.S. Digital Service, National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

After receiving information about Health Care Reform, Paula Thornhill, 31, of Woodbridge, holds her daughter Serenity in Woodbridge, VA, 2013. Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post via Getty Images.

Helen Jedele, a Rosie the Riveter during World War II, arrives with an Honor Flight from Detroit at Reagan National Airport for a tour of D.C. where they will visit Capitol Hill, the World War II Memorial, and Arlington National Cemetery, 2016. Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via AP Photo.

Vector illustration 404 error page not found banner. Adobe Stock.

A Safari error message. Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images.

Landing page for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2010. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

The Healthcare.gov website is displayed on a laptop computer, 2013. Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images.

HealthCare.gov website banner, 2010. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Headline: “Making healthcare history 'Democrats celebrate their victory,” March 24, 2010. The Los Angeles Times © 2010 The Los Angeles Times. All rights reserved.

President Barack Obama signs the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act at the White House, Washington, D.C, 2010. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Healthcare.gov error message, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

Headline: "Memo Reveals Only 6 People Signed Up for Obamacare on First Day," November 1, 2013. Courtesy of ABCNEWS VIDEOSOURCE.

ABC News anchor reports on problems with the health insurance website, healthcare.gov. 2013. Courtesy of ABCNEWS VIDEOSOURCE.

Photograph of the healthcare.gov website showing an error message, 2014. Karen Bleier/AFP via Getty Images.

A computer screen reads, "Enroll by Dec. 23 for coverage starting as soon as Jan 1," 2013. Joe Raedle/Getty Images.

The USDS team during weekly staff meetings in the basement at 736 Jackson Place, Washington, D.C. David Nesting/USDS.

USDS staffers. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Logo for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. 

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services office, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in Woodlawn, MD, 2010. Jay Mallin/Bloomberg via Getty Images.

Welcome screen for the Healthcare.gov website, 2013. Karen Bleier/AFP via Getty Images.

Headline: "Healthcare enrollment rises sharply," November 19, 2013.The Los Angeles Times © 2013 The Los Angeles Times. All rights reserved.

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

Headline: “Healthcare.gov sees traffic boost from Obama Between Two Ferns cameo,” March 12, 2014.

Copyright Guardian News & Media Ltd 2025.

Headline: "Enrollments Exceed Obama’s Target for Health Care Act," April 17, 2014. The New York Times © 2014 The New York Times. All rights reserved.

Landing page for the USDS, 2015. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library

White House social media post: “President Obama's launching the U.S. Digital Service to improve government digital services,” 2014. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Landing page for healthcare for members of the VA, National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

USCIS webpage. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Immigration system website launched by the USDS, 2016. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Farmers near Burlington, IA, 2015. Scott Olson/Getty Images.

Login page for the USDS, 2016. 

Hack the Pentagon webpage, 2016. 

Hack the Pentagon Program Manager Reina Staley and DDS team member Jack Cable monitor results.

© HackerOne.

USDS staffers at work. Courtesy of USDS Alumni.

USDS staffers work on plans for a program geared toward refugees, 2015. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

USDS staffers at a booth at SXSL, 2016. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

USDS Challenge Coin. Courtesy of Jason Goldman. 

PEERLESS PERSEVERANCE. Track ID: SPOTON_SPOTON_0019_00701. Composer(s): Benjamin Krause (ASCAP) 100%, IPI 558811424, Publisher: Spot On APM (ASCAP) 100%, IPI 811726554

ISRC: QMGXA1924987. APM MUSIC.

INNOVATION. Track ID: BIB_TBX_0098_00101. Composer(s): Jack Richard Pierce (PRS) 100%, IPI 874734499. Publisher: Bibliotheque Metro Park (BMI) 100%, IPI 201452719. ISRC: UKSRT2100441. APM MUSIC.

CREATIONS. Track ID: BIB_TBX_0098_00401. Composer(s): Jack Richard Pierce (PRS) 100%, IPI 874734499. Publisher: Bibliotheque Metro Park (BMI) 100%, IPI 201452719. ISRC: UKSRT2100454. APM MUSIC.