Lip reader reveals what Obama said to Bush at Trump's inauguration: 'How can we stop...'

A hearing-impaired lip reader claims to have decoded a light-hearted exchange between former US Presidents Barack Obama and George W Bush during Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony at the US Capitol on Monday.

Jackie, a popular content creator known for decoding celebrity conversations, shared her interpretation of the interaction in a viral video. The clip shows Obama making a brief comment to Bush, who was accompanied by his wife, Laura Bush.

Deaf lip reader Jackie G suggests Barack Obama asked George Bush how they could “stop what’s happening” at Trump’s inauguration.

“How do we stop what’s happening.”pic.twitter.com/dYr1nhCzNh

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 20, 2025

According to Jackie’s reading, Obama seemed to ask Bush, “How can we stop what’s happening?” The two former presidents reportedly burst into laughter immediately after the comment, leaving viewers speculating about the context.

The interaction comes amid a history of public criticism between Obama and Trump. Obama has previously labeled Trump a threat to democracy, while Trump has frequently criticised his predecessor.

Notably, Obama attended the inauguration alone, as former First Lady Michelle Obama was absent. This marks the second public event Obama has attended without Michelle, sparking speculation about their relationship status.

In a sign of tension, Obama, Bush, and former President Bill Clinton chose to skip Trump’s lunch following the swearing-in ceremony.

The inauguration drew attention for its mix of attendees, which included not only political figures but also prominent tech billionaires like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, and Sundar Pichai. Their presence highlighted the crossover between politics and the tech industry.