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By Gabe Whisnant
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As Michelle Obama highlighted former President Barack Obama’s achievements during his eight years in office, she pointedly referenced his Nobel Peace Prize in what appeared to be a jab at President Donald Trump.
The former first lady said, in part, during the opening of his presidential museum in Chicago, "You were doing the people's work, rescuing our economy, expanding health care, ending a war, ordering the [Osama] bin Laden raid, saving an auto industry, winning a peace prize."
The peace prize remark drew laughs and cheers from the crowd, including from former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, another fierce Trump rival.
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Trump has repeatedly said he believes he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize, often citing what he claims are diplomatic successes, including brokering deals or ending multiple wars. He has also contrasted his record with Obama’s 2009 award, at times saying he “deserved it” but would not receive it, despite claims of significant peace efforts.
The issue has resurfaced periodically during his presidency, with Trump and some allies publicly pushing the idea. Critics and experts have questioned whether his achievements meet the Nobel committee’s standards for sustained peace-building.
Michelle Obama also ticked off other highlights from her husband's eight years in office, including “standing up for marriage equality” and “listening to science" as the former Democratic president teared up on several occasions.
Newsweek has reached out to the White House via email on Thursday afternoon for comment.
Who Attended the Obama Presidential Library Opening?
The Obamas and their daughters shared the stage with former Presidents Joe Biden, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, along with former first ladies Jill Biden, Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton. Former Vice President Kamala Harris was also in attendance.
Bono, John Legend, Christina Aguilera, Marc Anthony and Eddie Vedder performed ahead of headliners Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Wonder.
Attendees included California Governor Gavin Newsom and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, both potential 2028 Democratic presidential contenders; civil rights leaders Andrew Young and Al Sharpton; Oprah Winfrey; comedians David Letterman, Conan O’Brien and Stephen Colbert; actor Tom Hanks; tennis legend Billie Jean King; and Chicago Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts.
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were also in attendance.
Trump did not attend the event and was not mentioned by speakers, though he had previously described the $850 million center as a “total disaster” in a February social media post.
Why Did Barack Obama Win a Nobel Peace Prize?
Barack Obama was awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize less than a year into his presidency for what the Norwegian Nobel Committee described as his “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.”
The committee pointed in particular to his early push for nuclear disarmament, outreach to the Muslim world, and efforts to reset U.S. relations with global allies, saying he had helped create a “new climate” in international politics. The decision was widely seen as recognizing Obama’s tone and stated vision for diplomacy rather than concrete peace deals, and it sparked debate at the time over whether the award came too early in his presidency.
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What Barack Obama Said at His Presidential Library Speech
Barack Obama told the crowd he hoped the center would underscore the importance of democracy and civic responsibility.
“I hope this center will serve as an affirmation of just how special, how precious our democracy truly is,” he said.
He also praised values such as character, honesty, and integrity, and highlighted bipartisan traditions, noting that former rivals such as John McCain and Mitt Romney shared those principles.
Reflecting on his early years in Chicago, Obama said the city played a central role in his life, from meeting his wife to launching his political career—Obama was a junior senator from Illinois before the presidency. He described the center as a tribute to the community that shaped him.
“It’s an expression of thanks, an acknowledgment that so much of what I hold most dear I owe to the people of this city and the people of the surrounding neighborhoods,” Obama said.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
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