Via @BarackObama InstagramWith Donald Trump’s inauguration rapidly approaching, it looks increasingly like the President-elect could learn a thing or two from Barack Obama.
After delivering his first press conference in nearly six months, Trump immediately came under fire with much of the Twitterverse using the trending hashtag #TrumpPressConference to poke fun at him for being unprepared, unqualified and unpresidential.
This #TrumpPressConference is solid proof of how unprepared, unqualified, unintelligent, untruthful, insane, vindictive, and corrupt he is.
— Eduardo Samaniego (@EduSamani) January 11, 2017
This SNL sketch isn’t funny #TrumpPressConference
— Matteo Lane (@MatteoLane) January 11, 2017
HE JUST ENDED HIS SPEECH BY SAYING “YOU”RE FIRED”, Guys, I’m 100% convinced this guy is gonna get us all killed #TrumpPressConference
— Dorothy Lydia (@dlwritesbooks) January 11, 2017
Many were unfavorably comparing the President-elect’ s remarks to those of President Obama in his farewell speech delivered the night before.
Complete opposite of last nights eloquent & graceful speech. Just embarrassing honestly #TrumpPressConference
— Gabi (@gabrielakc_) January 11, 2017
Maybe for his inauguration speech on Jan. 20, Trump could take these 10 pointers from his predecessor’s farewell remarks.
“Hello Chicago! It’s good to be home! Thank you, everybody. Thank you so much. Thank you … We’re on live TV here, I’ve got to move. You can tell that I’m a lame duck, because nobody is following instructions.”
READ MORE: President Barack Obama’s Response to 6-Year-Old Alex’s Touching Letter
“Our youth, our drive, our diversity and openness, our boundless capacity for risk and reinvention means that the future should be ours. But that potential will only be realized if our democracy works. Only if our politics better reflects the decency of our people.
Only if all of us, regardless of party affiliation or particular interests help restore the sense of common purpose that we so badly need right now … Understand democracy does not require uniformity …. democracy does require a basic sense of solidarity.”
“Health care costs are rising at the slowest rate in 50 years. And I’ve said, and I mean it, anyone can put together a plan that is demonstrably better than the improvements we’ve made to our health care system, that covers as many people at less cost, I will publicly support it.
Because that, after all, is why we serve. Not to score points or take credit. But to make people’s lives better.”
“If the scope of freedom and respect for the rule of law shrinks around the world, the likelihood of war within and between nations increases, and our own freedoms will eventually be threatened.
So let’s be vigilant, but not afraid. ISIL will try to kill innocent people. But they cannot defeat America unless we betray our Constitution and our principles in the fight.”
“For too many of us it’s become safer to retreat into our own bubbles, whether in our neighborhoods, or on college campuses, or places of worship, or especially our social media feeds, surrounded by people who look like us and share the same political outlook and never challenge our assumptions.
And increasingly we become so secure in our bubbles that we start accepting only information, whether it’s true or not, that fits our opinions, instead of basing our opinions on the evidence that is out there.”
READ MORE: Obama Administration Moves to Protect Planned Parenthood
“For the past eight years I’ve worked to put the fight against terrorism on a firmer legal footing. That’s why we’ve ended torture, worked to close Gitmo, reformed our laws governing surveillance to protect privacy and civil liberties.
That’s why I reject discrimination against Muslim Americans, who are just as patriotic as we are. That’s why we cannot withdraw from big global fights to expand democracy and human rights and women’s rights and LGBT rights.”
“Show up, dive in, stay at it. Sometimes you’ll win, sometimes you’ll lose … And there will be times when the process will disappoint you. But for those of us fortunate enough to have been part of this one and to see it up close, let me tell you, it can energize and inspire.
And more often than not, your faith in America and in Americans will be confirmed. Mine sure has been.”
“Michelle LaVaughn Robinson of the South Side, for the past 25 years you have not only been my wife and mother of my children, you have been my best friend. You took on a role you didn’t ask for. And you made it your own with grace and with grit and with style, and good humor.
You made the White House a place that belongs to everybody. And a new generation sets its sights higher because it has you as a role model. You have made me proud, and you have made the country proud.”
“Malia and Sasha, under the strangest of circumstances you have become two amazing young women. You are smart and you are beautiful. But more importantly, you are kind and you are thoughtful and you are full of passion. And you wore the burden of years in the spotlight so easily. Of all that I have done in my life, I am most proud to be your dad.”
“My fellow Americans, it has been the honor of my life to serve you. I won’t stop; in fact, I will be right there with you, as a citizen, for all my remaining days.”
Watch the full video of President Obama’s farewell address here.
READ MORE: 5 Signs the Forthcoming Trump Presidency Could Normalize Racism
