Barack Obama sheds tears during emotional farewell speech

Mark Chandler8 May 2017

Barack Obama warned sections of society were retreating into “bubbles” in an emotional farewell speech urging Americans to reject discrimination.

The outgoing President thanked his family – seen crying as a crowd of 18,000 watched on in his hometown of Chicago - and declared his time as president the honour of his life.

In an apparent dig at his successor Donald Trump, he questioned politicians who doubted climate change and warned of the growing problem of fake news, with some Americans listening only to information that confirmed their own prejudices.

Telling people to get out of their “bubbles”, he said: "If you're tired of arguing with strangers on the internet, try to talk with one in real life.”

Family: Michelle Obama with daughter Malia
AFP/Getty Images

During the speech he said his frustrated efforts to end the use of torture and close the prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, were part of a broader move to uphold US values.

"That's why I reject discrimination against Muslim Americans," he said in a clear reference to Mr Trump that drew applause.

Goodbye: US First Lady Michelle Obama and President Barack Obama greet supporters as daughter Malia looks on (AFP/Getty Images)
Joshua Lott/AFP/Getty Images

He told supporters America's potential "will be realised only if our democracy works. Only if our politics reflects the decency of our people.

“Only if all of us, regardless of our party affiliation or particular interest, help restore the sense of common purpose that we so badly need right now".

He went on: "After my election, there was talk of a post-racial America," he said. "Such a vision, however well-intended, was never realistic. Race remains a potent and often divisive force in our society."

However, the 55-year-old said he remained hopeful about the work that a younger generation would do. In an echo of the slogan that brought him to power, he said: "Yes we can. Yes we did."

Arguing his faith in America had been confirmed, he said he ended his tenure inspired by its "boundless capacity" for reinvention, declaring: "The future should be ours."

During a passing reference to Mr Trump, the crowd began booing, but Mr Obama sought to calm them down, saying American needed “the peaceful transfer of power from one president to the next".

Barack Obama: The outgoing President made his farewell speech
AFP/Getty Images

When sections of the crowd began chanting “four more years” he smiled, saying: "I can't do that."

And he went on to praise his wife for taking on her role "with grace and grit and style and good humour" and for making the White House "a place that belongs to everybody".

By the end he was wiping away tears as the crowd embraced him one last time.

He and his wife Michelle hugged former aides and other audience members after the speech ended.

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