Obamas Receive Standing Ovation At Their Final Kennedy Center Honors

The Obamas are officially just over one month away from saying goodbye to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for good and on Sunday evening, they received a fitting send-off at their final Kennedy Center Honors celebration.

As Mrs. Obama wowed the crowd in an off the shoulder dress accentuated by metallic floral designs, POTUS received a standing ovation following words of praise from host Stephen Colbert. “For the past eight years, the White House has given us a leader who’s passionate, intelligent and dignified,” Colbert said, bringing the crowd to their feet. 

As President Obama took a brief moment to stand and wave in response, Colbert did what he does best and lightened the mood. “Sir, I don’t even know why you stood up,” he joked. “I was talking about Michelle.”

The Commander-In-Chief welcomed the evening’s honorees earlier in the day, speaking briefly about the invaluable importance of the arts to the White House over the years. 

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“The arts have always been part of life at the White House because the arts are always central to American life,” Obama said. “That’s why over the past eight years Michelle and I have invited some of the best writers, musicians, actors and dancers to share their gifts with the American people and to help tell the story of who we are.”

Per tradition, the Obamas have attended the prestigious awards ceremony for all eight years they’ve been in office.