He may no longer be the President of the United States (sadly), but Barack Obama is still grabbing headlines. Apparently, when 44 isn’t vacationing with Richard Branson in the tropics, the man is out here breaking internet records. Earlier this week, Obama took to social media and sent out a message in response to the violent events in Charlottesville, Virginia. Taking to Twitter, the president quoted anti-apartheid revolutionary, Nelson Mandela, and reminded his followers that no human is born with hate in their heart. The tweet quickly racked up a ton of likes and now sits at over 4 million.
Spokespeople at the social media service confirmed to news outlets earlier today that Obama’s timely response has now become the most liked tweet in the platform’s eleven-year history. Before making online waves, the post had to pass another message of love and peace to claim the title. Pop singer, Ariana Grande, initially had the most-liked tweet: a message she sent out following the tragic Manchester terrorist attack in May. That aforementioned post garnered around 2.7 million hearts.
Along with the Mandela quote, which originates from the activist’s 1994 autobiography Long Walk to Freedom, Obama shared a warm photo from his time as commander-in-chief. The picture displays Barack greeting four smiling children, and was snapped by White House photographer, Pete Souza. It was taken in June 2011 near Bethesda Maryland, where the president’s youngest daughter, Sasha, had her fourth-grade graduation ceremony.
You can like the tweet below and read the entire powerful thread.
“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin or his background or his religion…” pic.twitter.com/InZ58zkoAm
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 13, 2017
“People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love…”
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 13, 2017
“…For love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” – Nelson Mandela
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 13, 2017
