Donald Trump Finally Responds to Barack Obama’s 2011 Roast—And Says It Changed Everything
Over a decade after the infamous night that left him publicly ridiculed on national television, Donald Trump has finally issued a formal response to Barack Obama’s viral roast at the 2011 White House Correspondents’ Dinner—and according to Trump, that very moment may have shaped the future of American politics more than anyone realized.
The Night That Sparked a Political Firestorm
Back in 2011, Barack Obama stood at the podium during the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner and delivered a speech that would become one of the most talked-about moments in presidential history. It wasn’t just a lighthearted roast—it was a pointed and calculated mockery, aimed squarely at then-reality TV star Donald Trump.
At the time, Trump had been one of the most vocal figures pushing the baseless “birther” conspiracy theory, which claimed that Obama was not born in the United States and was therefore ineligible to be president. The theory gained significant traction in conservative circles, and the pressure eventually led the White House to release Obama’s long-form birth certificate.
While many expected this to silence critics, it only added fuel to the fire. Trump, rather than backing down, took credit for forcing the release, telling reporters: “Today I’m very proud of myself because I’ve accomplished something that nobody else was able to accomplish.” He was quoted in several major outlets, including The Guardian, confidently asserting that his influence had pressured the President into action.
Obama’s Devastating Takedown
Then came the dinner. Before a room full of journalists, politicians, and celebrities, Obama delivered a masterclass in public shaming. He mocked Trump for his obsession with the birth certificate, joking:
“Now, I know that he’s taken some flack lately, but no one is happier, no one is prouder to put this birth certificate matter to rest than the Donald.”
With surgical precision, Obama continued to dismantle Trump’s credibility:
“And that’s because he can finally get back to focusing on the issues that matter—like, did we fake the moon landing? What really happened in Roswell? And where are Biggie and Tupac?”
He didn’t stop there. Obama took a swipe at Trump’s role on Celebrity Apprentice, highlighting the moment when Trump fired actor Gary Busey:
“You didn’t blame Lil Jon or Meatloaf. You fired Gary Busey. And these are the kinds of decisions that would keep me up at night.”
The crowd erupted in laughter. But one person didn’t laugh—Donald Trump.
A Decade Later, Trump Breaks His Silence
Fast forward to 2025, and Trump is finally responding. In a new post on his platform, Truth Social, the former president shared a video clip of Obama’s 2011 remarks, but this time with a twist. The footage was part of a longer, dramatically narrated video that frames the roast as a pivotal moment in U.S. history—not the end of Trump, but his beginning.
“They thought it would humiliate him. They thought it would end him. But instead… it ignited a fire,” the narrator says, as dramatic music plays in the background.
The video claims that the event “changed politics forever” and inspired Trump to seriously consider a run for the White House. It paints the 2011 roast not as an embarrassment, but as the catalyst for his eventual 2016 presidential victory.
Seth Meyers’ Role and Lingering Tensions
Also present at that dinner was comedian Seth Meyers, who delivered his own round of searing jokes, including the now-iconic line:
“Donald Trump has been saying that he will run for president as a Republican, which is surprising, since I just assumed he was running as a joke.”
Trump reportedly fumed after the event and left the dinner early. Close aides at the time said he was visibly shaken and furious—many later speculated this humiliation pushed him further toward political ambition.
Whether or not Trump’s presidential bid was born that night remains up for debate, but the clip he posted seems to suggest he now fully embraces that theory.
Trump’s Renewed Attacks on Obama
This post is just the latest in a string of renewed verbal assaults Trump has directed at Obama in recent months. From reviving claims of treason during the 2016 election to creating AI-generated videos portraying Obama being arrested, Trump appears to be reigniting a longstanding feud as part of his 2024 political messaging strategy.
Some political analysts believe this new wave of attacks is a strategic move to energize his base by reliving one of his origin stories. Others warn that it’s a distraction from current legal battles and political pressure.
Either way, one thing is certain—Trump isn’t done talking about 2011, and in his mind, that night wasn’t a defeat.
It was a declaration.