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Former US President Barack Obama speaks at a Biden-Harris drive-in rally in Miami, Florida
Image: AFP via Getty ImagesImage: AFP via Getty Images

Barack Obama

Barack Obama was elected as the first African American president of the United States in 2008, and won reelection for a second term in 2012. In 2009, the first year he took office, he also received the Nobel Peace Prize.

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All Content on this topic

Billie Eilish singing in a microphone.

Use, and misuse, of music in US presidential campaigns

As Billie Eilish endorses Kamala Harris, here's a look at the history of music in political campaigns.
MusicSeptember 18, 2024
Barack and Michelle Obama at the DNC

US Democrats buzzing with the themes of hope and change

Barack and Michelle Obama deliver headline speeches on the second day of Democratic National Convention.
PoliticsAugust 21, 202402:09 min
A screen showing a fake video of former US President Barack Obama, overlaid with software elements of facial mapping

Fact check: How do I spot audio deepfakes?

Audio deepfakes are considered a major disinformation threat and are difficult to debunk. These tips can help.
PoliticsAugust 14, 2024
Kamala Harris and Barack Obama smiling

Obamas call US presidential candidate Kamala Harris

Kamala Harris has gained perhaps her most important endorsement so far, from Barack and Michelle Obama.
PoliticsJuly 26, 202400:54 min
United States Vice President Kamala Harris and former US President Barack Obama

US election: Barack Obama endorses Kamala Harris

Former President Barack Obama has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president.
PoliticsJuly 26, 2024
President Joe Biden (L) stands with former US President Barack Obama onstage during a campaign fundraiser at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on June 15, 2024

Obama reportedly casts doubts over Biden's reelection

President Joe Biden's campaign remained defiant, saying he will not drop out.
PoliticsJuly 18, 2024
Picture of Bruce Springsteen, a man in a dark shirt, smiling and playing a guitar onstage.

Bruce Springsteen's 'Born in the U.S.A.': Misinterpreted hit

As the album gets a special edition reissue marking its 40th year, its eponymous track has its own storied reception.
MusicJune 14, 2024
Retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor

Sandra Day O'Connor: Retired US Supreme Court justice dies

O'Connor was the first female justice to sit on the highest court in the land.
Law and JusticeDecember 1, 2023
Many colorful ties are hung side by side.

Necktie Day: From status symbol to fashion accessory

Managers and politicians wear ties, and on special occasions they reflect good manners.
LifestyleOctober 18, 2023
Dark clouds roll past the US Capitol

US government shutdowns: A chronology

DW looks at how government shutdowns started, when they became partisan and how much they cost.
PoliticsSeptember 28, 20239 images
Lady Gaga holding her microphone in her left hand, here in a green evening dress at the Grammy Awards Show in Las Vegas in 1922

From Obama to Lady Gaga: Left-handers who made their mark

Lefthanders Day is on August 13. Left-handedness once had negative connotations, proven wrong by many personalities.
CultureAugust 13, 202310 images
People standing around a stand giving away 'Banned Books'

Barack Obama condemns 'profoundly misguided' book bans

In an open letter, former US President Barack Obama has criticized efforts to ban books from public school libraries.
LiteratureJuly 21, 2023
Barack Obama and Olaf Scholz walking together

Obama warns of polarization at Berlin speaking event

Former US President Barack Obama warned of the danger posed by misinformation on social media.
PoliticsMay 4, 2023
Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama's new book offers tools for life

The former first lady's new book, "The Light We Carry," discusses tools for dealing with stress and uncertainty.
LiteratureNovember 17, 2022
Former President Barack Obama and President Joe Biden arrive at a campaign rally for Pennsylvania's Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro and Democratic Senate candidate Lt. Gov. John Fetterman in Philadelphia

Biden, Obama, Trump rally in Pennsylvania

President Joe Biden told voters in Philadelphia this is a "defining" election for democracy.
PoliticsNovember 5, 2022
Celtics great Bill Russell, 11-time NBA champion, dead at 88

Bill Russell remembered as one of basketball's greatest

The NBA's most prolific champion and first Black coach died Sunday at 88.
SportsAugust 1, 2022
Three characters from the series "Squid Game" in uniform, prepare for a battle.

'Squid Game' and Barack Obama up for Emmys

"Succession" leads the race for this year's Emmy Awards with 25 nominations, while "Squid Game" also makes history.
CultureJuly 13, 2022
Angela Merkel and Barack Obama

Former leaders Merkel, Obama meet in Washington

The pair visited a museum together, with former US President Barack Obama taking the opportunity to praise his "friend."
PoliticsJune 29, 2022
US president Joe Biden raises his hand while commenting on the Supreme Court’s decision

Biden calls abortion ruling 'sad day' for US

The US president joined the Obamas and the leaders of the UK and Canada in condemning the ruling on abortion rights.
Rule of LawJune 24, 2022
A photo of a pool with a view to the alps and a green forest.

Fairy-tale castle: G7 venue Schloss Elmau

The G7 summit is being held in Schloss Elmau in Germany, starting June 26. Here's what makes the hotel so special.
TravelJune 21, 202210 images
A Yemeni stands in front of graffiti that depicts a US drone

US drone strikes killed thousands of civilians: report

A strike cell routinely sidestepped safety procedures in Afghanistan and the Middle East, the New York Times has found.
ConflictsDecember 19, 2021
Activists holding signs at a protest

COP26: 'Two realities' for climate delegates

Time is running out for negotiators at the climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland.
Nature and EnvironmentNovember 9, 2021
Bruce Springsteen, left, appears with former President Barack Obama during their podcast of conversations recorded at Springsteen's home studio in New Jersey.

'Renegades: Born in the USA' now a book

Reprising their hit podcast, Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen journey into the American soul in a new book.
CultureOctober 26, 2021
Bela B. playing a drum set during a concert in Cologne.

How celebrities influence German elections

The election campaign is entering the final phase — and culture is again playing a leading role.
CultureSeptember 16, 2021
Symbolbild Twitter

Like or dislike: German electioneering on social media

German political parties are attempting to reach out to voters on social media. Will they succeed?
CultureSeptember 14, 2021
Amateur photo of saucer-like object in the sky over Japan

UFOs and aliens in Germany

UFOs over US airspace? If it can happen there, it can happen anywhere — including in Germany.
ScienceJune 28, 2021
Surrounded by family members of George Floyd and their legal team, Philonise Floyd speaks to reporters at the White House following their meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden in Washington, U.S., May 25, 2021.

Biden meets with George Floyd's family one year after murder

The family has called on the White House and lawmakers to pass police reform legislation.
Law and JusticeMay 25, 2021
Cicely Tyson arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party

Cicely Tyson: A life in pictures

The distinguished film, stage and TV actress was much admired for her portrayal of resilient African American women.
CultureJanuary 29, 20219 images
Angela Merkel talking to Joe Biden at the G7 meeting in Cornwall in June 2021

From Bush to Biden: How Angela Merkel interacts with US presidents

In her 16 years in office Merkel has had to deal with four US Presidents..
PoliticsJanuary 19, 202111 images
US Präsident Donald Trump

How Trump stylizes himself as an American hero

The US president knows exactly how to use the media to his advantage. Can this self-portrayal get him reelected?
CultureNovember 3, 2020
Barack Obama speak at a rally in Miami

Obama slams Trump over coronavirus

The former president called out Donald Trump on his handling of the pandemic, white supremacy and lying.
PoliticsOctober 25, 2020
USA Philadelphia Wahlkampfauftritt Ex-Präsident Barack Obama

Obama slams Trump in Biden campaign speech

The former US president took to the campaign trail on behalf of Democrat candidate Joe Biden.
PoliticsOctober 22, 2020
Still of video game Animal Crossing, where two cartoon characters representing Kamala Harris and Joe Biden stand in front of houses ( Joe Biden campaign )

How video games are used for political purposes

The video game "Animal Crossing: New Horizons" is playing a role in the US presidential campaign. But why?
CultureOctober 19, 2020
The White House in Washington

Envelope of ricin sent to White House

The toxin ricin has previously been mailed to several officials in the White House.
PoliticsSeptember 20, 2020
In this screenshot from the DNCC’s livestream of the 2020 Democratic National Convention, former U.S. President Barack Obama addresses the virtual convention

Barack Obama lays into Trump in DNC speech

The former US president claimed his successor had no interest in "taking the job seriously."
PoliticsAugust 20, 2020
USA Trauerfeier John Lewis in Atlanta

US presidents honor civil rights pioneer John Lewis

The late US civil rights leader John Lewis has been honored by three ex-presidents in a funeral ceremony in Atlanta.
PoliticsJuly 30, 2020
Martin Luther King addresses civil rights marchers in Selma, Alabama

#BlackLivesMatter: Key figures in the US civil rights movement

Even after the death of US icon John Lewis, the struggle of the black civil rights movement continues.
PoliticsJuly 27, 202012 images
Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama kicks off new podcast series

The podcast comes at a time of ongoing civil unrest in the US. Barack Obama is the first guest on July 29.
CultureJuly 27, 2020
Obama meets Castro in Cuba

Cuba and the US: A love-hate relationship

After resuming diplomatic relations five years ago, Cuba and the US find themselves on poor terms once again.
PoliticsJuly 19, 2020
Rolling Stones britische Rockband

'Hail to the Thief': Music in political campaigns

The Rolling Stones isn't the only band to reject their work being exploited in Donald Trump's campaign rallies.
MusicJuly 7, 2020
Osama Bin Laden

Imran Khan: US 'martyred' bin Laden

Khan was critical of his predecessors' relationship with the US and rued Islamabad's decision to join the war on terror.
PoliticsJune 26, 2020
DACA recipients and their supporters celebrate outside the U.S. Supreme Court

Supreme Court rejects Trump bid to end DACA

Trump reacted by tweeting that the Supreme Court "doesn't like me?"
PoliticsJune 19, 2020
Protesters face police in Washington, DC, in the wake of the killing of George Floyd | Black Lives Matter

Gen Z joins George Floyd protests

Many of those who protest against police brutality and racism near the White House and all over the US are under 25.
PoliticsJune 5, 2020
Soric Miodrag Kommentarbild App

Racism part of everyday life in the United States

Miodrag Soric
The wave of protests in American cities after the death of George Floyd shouldn't come as a surprise.
SocietyJune 2, 2020
A hospital worker cries while people applaud

Coronavirus latest: Spain deaths drop below 100

The figure is a boost to the Madrid government as it prepares to further ease curbs next week. Follow DW for the latest.
HealthMay 18, 2020
German investigative journalist Günter Wallraff (C), former German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel (R) and former German Interior Minister Gerhart Baum (L) hold a newspaper during a press conference

Opinion: I am Julian Assange

Prominent figures want Julian Assange to be released from prison in the UK. They have a point, says Marcel Fürstenau.
PoliticsFebruary 7, 2020
Trudeau, Johnson and Princess Anne

Was that thing on? 'Hot mic' gaffes from politicians

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is not the first to get caught out by unknowingly airing his thoughts.
PoliticsDecember 12, 20196 images
Alexander Görlach

Donald Trump is no accident

Alexander Görlach
Americans elected Trump to the presidency in reaction to the populist who occupied the White House before him.
PoliticsNovember 27, 2019
UK | Elizabeth II. mit Corgi

Politicians and their pets

Politicians have been known to make savvy use of pets for political favor, particularly when in a tight spot.
CultureSeptember 4, 20198 images
Former U.S. President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama

Obamas producing Netflix project critical of Trump

Barack and Michelle Obama unveil plans for a Netflix series critical of the current US government.
FilmMay 2, 2019