Portrait of Silvio Berlusconi
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Silvio Berlusconi on Barack Obama

Mixed comments on appearance (strong)

TL;DR

Silvio Berlusconi offered a highly public, controversial compliment to Barack Obama, describing him as young, handsome, and tanned.

Key Points

  • He described Barack Obama as "young, handsome and tanned" following the 2008 election.

  • The Italian leader claimed the compliment was misconstrued by those who lacked a sense of humor.

  • The comment caused controversy, with some viewing it as politically incorrect or an offense to integration.

Summary

Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian prime minister, generated significant attention following the 2008 US presidential election with a public remark about President-elect Barack Obama. During a news conference after talks with the Russian president, Berlusconi described the then President-elect as "young, handsome and tanned." He suggested that the relative youth of both Obama and the Russian leader should aid future cooperation between their nations. Berlusconi subsequently defended the comment, asserting it was intended as a "big compliment" and that only "imbeciles" would interpret it negatively, claiming others lacked a sense of humor.

This characterization was one of several controversial statements made by the Italian leader regarding appearance and race, which drew criticism domestically and internationally. The comments sparked immediate backlash, with critics calling the remark embarrassing or politically incorrect, especially considering Obama was America's first Black president. One Italian lawmaker called the comment embarrassing and noted it would be considered a great offense in the United States, while others defended the comments as simple humor, indicating the deeply mixed reception to the prime minister's remarks.

Key Quotes

What's his name? Some tanned guy. Ah, Barack Obama!

Frequently Asked Questions

Silvio Berlusconi's most notable comment about Barack Obama was describing the President-elect as "young, handsome and even tanned" after his 2008 election. He made the remark at a news conference, later defending it as a major compliment. The statement drew significant media attention and criticism for its perceived insensitivity.

There is no clear evidence that Silvio Berlusconi's stated position or opinion of Barack Obama evolved significantly after his initial comments. His primary interaction publicized was that single, controversial remark followed by a defense of his humor. The sentiment remained focused on that initial observation rather than a broader policy stance.

The former Italian Prime Minister framed his comment about the tan as a positive attribute that could facilitate working relations between the US and Russia. When criticized, he insisted the remark was merely a "big compliment" meant to be humorous. He dismissed critics who did not appreciate his joke as lacking a sense of humor.

Sources7

* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.