Barack Obama asked George W. Bush how they could “stop what’s happening” during President Trump’s inauguration on Monday, according to a lip reader.
Jackie Gonzalez, a deaf woman who shares her interpretations of celebrities’ and politicians’ private conversations on social media, made a now-viral video revealing what she believed the two former presidents were discussing during a candid moment at Trump’s inauguration.
Footage of Obama and Bush sharing a laugh during Trump’s swearing-in ceremony took off online Monday, with many internet sleuths wondering what the 43rd and 44th presidents were joking about.
According to Gonzalez, Obama greets Bush and tells him, “Good to see you,” as the crowd bursts into a boisterous round of applause for him.
Obama then apparently thanks the crowd before turning to Bush and saying, “How can we stop what’s happening.”
The video then shows Bush, with a sly grin across his face, starting to laugh over Obama’s comment.
Watch:
What did President Obama say to President Bush right here??? pic.twitter.com/NRnPiDSl6V
— Jeremy Art (@cspanJeremy) January 20, 2025
It is unclear if Obama was referring to President Trump’s second term, with some online observers suggesting he may have been alluding to the crowd’s rapturous applause.
Gonzalez shares a disclaimer on her pages noting that lip reading is “not a reliable form of communication” and “all statements are alleged.”
Even still, her followers were amused by the possible commentary, with the clip garnering 70,000 likes and 2,000 comments.
“If only they would have had a split screen on the former presidents the entire time,” one commenter joked.
