A clip of President Barack Obama and President Joe Biden having a tense conversation at Ethel Kennedy’s funeral has sparked a slew of theories on social media.
The video of the very animated conversation went viral on Wednesday during the service for the 96-year-old mataricha of the Kennedy family.
Bill Clinton’s comments calling Robert Kennedy’s late widow the “cat’s meow” raised eyebrows among viewers.
But it was the conversation captured on CSPAN between Obama and Biden at St. Matthew the Apostle Catholic Cathedral in Washington, D.C., that caused a flurry of activity on social media.
No audio was recorded other than the blaring church organ, but social media users were immediately curious about the nature of their conversation.
US President Joe Biden (L) speaks with former President Barack Obama (R) prior to a memorial service for Ethel Kennedy
Biden turned and spoke to Obama as the former president crossed his arms and shook his head as he spoke back to Biden and emphasized his point with hand gestures.
At one point, Obama even tried to turn away from Biden, prompting Biden to reach out and touch his arm.
Biden and Obama were joined at the funeral by former President Bill Clinton, who sat next to them.
The funeral marks the first time Obama and Biden have met since the current president abandoned his re-election campaign and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris.
The conversation appears to have been interrupted by Clinton, who looked at them and gestured toward the front of the cathedral.
US President Joe Biden (L) along with former Presidents Barack Obama (C) and Bill Clinton (R) attend a memorial service for Ethel Kennedy, the widow of Robert F. Kennedy, at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington, DC
One user on X.com said she contacted some of her deaf colleagues on Facebook to see if she could get information about what they were saying.
“Obama says ‘No,’ then shakes his head and says ‘Not good,’” she wrote. “Hopefully they’re talking about Kamala’s campaign LOL.”
I can draw, but I’m not the best at lip reading. I went to my Facebook page and posted this because I have a few deaf colleagues who can decipher this. All I got out of it is Biden says something, Obama says “No,” then shakes his head and says “Not good.” Hopefully… pic.twitter.com/5eYST4yMBi
—
Ames
(@Ames2420) October 16, 2024
Another user shared a similar observation on X.com.
“I couldn’t understand what Biden was saying to Obama, but the beginning of Obama’s response was, ‘No, no… (he nods his head, no, and then says) it’s gone,” she wrote. “The look on Obama’s face is ominous, and Biden’s look is one of shock.”
