The Obama Diary

Aretha helped define the American experience. In her voice, we could feel our history, all of it and in every shade… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

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Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 16, 2025

Watching Aretha Franklin perform at the White House, and on so many other occasions, made time stand still.… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

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Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) August 16, 2025

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If you read one thing today, it should be this 2016 David Remnick profile of Aretha Franklin. It's phenomenal. newyorker.com/magazine/2016/…

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Clint Smith (@ClintSmithIII) August 16, 2025

This is one of my favorite performances by Aretha Franklin. She was only 22 here. We’ve lost a treasure. 💔 https://t.co/tETO6sG1As

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Natasha W.E.B. Lookin’ Bois Oladokun 🌚🦗 (@NatashaOladokun) August 16, 2025

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In 1993 NY Post columnist Liz Smith wrote: "[Aretha Franklin] must know she’s too bosomy to wear such clothing, but… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

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Letters of Note (@LettersOfNote) August 16, 2025

let’s also never forget THIS aretha moment... “great gowns, beautiful gowns...” 😭😂 https://t.co/bCY5XeW9Mf

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Andrew Bunton (@andrewbunton) August 16, 2025

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Aretha Franklin singing Lift Ev’ry Voice - proving that she was already an angel, even when she was among us. youtu.be/8QK4p22LHtw

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Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) August 16, 2025

How Aretha Franklin's commitment to civil rights and equality changed hearts and minds. nbcnews.to/2vPo7IC - @NBCBLK

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NBC News (@NBCNews) August 16, 2025

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Rest in power, Aretha. You were not only the Queen of Soul, but a warrior, a survivor, an icon, and a protector. Yo… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

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Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) August 16, 2025