The left-wing stars of Hollywood were quick to tweet their farewells to President Barack Obama last night. Some didn’t even wait for his farewell address to begin, let alone end, before sharing their goodbyes on social media. Apparently the liberals of Tinseltown feel very passionately about the Democratic President, who hands the Oval Office over to Donald Trump next week.
Russell Simmons quoted Martin Luther King Jr., while Ellen DeGeneres’ emotions could not be confined to the 140-character count of a tweet.
TV stars of all colours and creeds showed much love
Lesbian chat show host Ellen DeGeneres tweeted, “@POTUS @BarackObama I love you more than I have space on Twitter to describe.” It’s worth noting that under Obama’s Presidency, same-sex marriage was legalised across all of America. Black comedian Jordan Peele, who impersonated Obama much to the President himself’s liking on his sketch show “Key & Peele,” said, “We have a lot of work to do to earn you, @POTUS.” Black actress Gabrielle Union tweeted that she was “crying” as Obama gave his farewell address.
Shonda Rhimes posted a selfie of herself from the address in Chicago captioned, “Here to show our love for our Potus.” Russell Simmons quoted Martin Luther King Jr.: “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice,” suggesting that Obama is a part of that bend. Legendary retired basketball player Magic Johnson posted this tweet: “@BarackObama made me proud to be an American as he reminded us of the power of democracy & unity.”
Other figures also spoke out
Larry King tweeted to say that Obama’s farewell speech was “inspirational,” and said, “You served your nation well, Mr. President,” before thanking him. Oscar-winning political documentarian Michael Moore noted how Obama’s exit song was Bruce Springsteen’s “Land of Hope and Dreams” and then made a “Monty Python” reference as a sly hint of things to come with Trump in the White House: “And now for something completely different...”
“Pitch Perfect” star Elizabeth Banks mentioned the CNN report on the same day that alleges new evidence have been found that Russian operatives helped Trump to win the election: “This classy eloquent #ObamaFarewell on the heels of today’s latest #PEOTUS crap is invigorating my patriotic soul.
#vigilantbutnotafraid.” Deaf Oscar-winning actress Marlee Matlin praised Obama and claimed that she was “in awe of his class & intelligence,” and added that her favourite quote from the speech was “from Selma to Stonewall.”
A lot of the celebs were warning about Trump
“Westworld” actor Jeffrey Wright made this striking comparison between Obama and Trump: “#ObamaFarewell - thoughts on race. #TrumpRally - racist thoughts.” “Star Trek” actor George Takei tweeted: “Watching Obama’s final address, and realizing how very, very far we are about to descend. Farewell, O Captain my Captain! Heavens save us.” Bestselling author and activist (and Arnie’s ex-wife) Maria Shriver, who prides herself on inspiring people, tweeted: ““We rise or fall as one.” So important at this moment in our country to remember that. #ObamaFarewell.”