Developing: Pakistani Plane Escorted by UK Fighter Jets — 2 Men Arrested

Listen to the Buck Sexton Show Live on TheBlaze Radio

Politics

You Might Be Surprised By the Backstory of the Most Tweeted Post Ever

Nov. 9, 2012 8:29am

The photo of President Barack Obama hugging the first lady tweeted by his account on election night at 11:16 p.m. when it was projected that he had been re-elected quickly went viral. It has become most tweeted photo — and most retweeted post — ever, with more than 800,000 retweets since then.

Photographer Scout Tufankjian Tells the Story Behind the Obamas Tweeted Election Night Photo

(Image: Twitter screenshot)

What many have not taken the time to think about though is the backstory of the photo. One might initially think the sweet, celebratory moment was taken on election night, a look at the clothing and location though would quickly tell you otherwise. The photographer revealed to Gizmodo that it was actually taken a few months before Election Day.

Photographer Scout Tufankjian has been shooting the Obamas since the then-senator’s 2008 campaign for presiden. He then began shooting exclusively for Obama’s campaign again in August 2012.

Here’s what Tufankjian told Gizmodo’s Brent Rose about the tender moment he captured of the Obamas:

This picture was taken in Dubuque, IA on August 15th. Iowa is always a pretty special place for the Obamas, since Iowans were really the first people outside of Chicago to embrace the Obama candidacy, and we had been on a bus tour for three days. This was the first event the First Lady had been at and they hadn’t seen each other for a few days. Because I’m a total sap and am also relatively recently married, I find their relationship to be totally inspirational in terms of the respect they have for each other, so I always try to focus on them as a couple, rather than as public figures.

Tufankjian said he didn’t know the photo would be used in a historic tweet months later. Gizmodo reported that a friend of Tufankjian emailed him after the picture broke a Twitter record — this is how he found out.

According to a separate post by Gizmodo, at little more than an hour after its initial tweet, the photo was retweeted 350,00 times and favorited 120,000 times. The previous record for most popular tweet was held by Justin Bieber.

For more about Tufankjian’s technique and tips for capturing memorable moments, read Gizmodo’s story full Q&A here.

Benghazi, IRS, AP...What's next? Only TheBlaze TV offers the truth from Glenn Beck, Andrew Wilkow, and Real News from TheBlaze. Get instant access and a free trial here.

Comments (58)

1 2
  • BibleThumpinGunClinger
    Posted on November 9, 2012 at 5:04pm

    1460 days until election day 2016!!!!

    Report this comment

    BibleThumpinGunClinger  
  • Abdaziel
    Posted on November 9, 2012 at 3:34pm

    The lie is that the condescending celebrity in chief presents a photo of hugging his wife when the reality is he was glad handing the sheeple that think unemployment and murdering border patrol agents and ambassadors is the right thing to do since America its ominously sooo evil.

    Report this comment

    Abdaziel  
  • gauf
    Posted on November 9, 2012 at 2:33pm

    Just threw up in my mouth.

    Report this comment

    gauf  
  • PointBreak
    Posted on November 9, 2012 at 2:27pm

    OMG what is happening at the Blaze? Why don’t you just post a heartwarming picture of Mao Tse-tung hugging Anton LeVay and tell me how many times you tweeted it?

    Report this comment

     
  • matthew s harrison
    Posted on November 9, 2012 at 1:19pm

    It pains me to see the most disingenuous people in America embracing. It pains me to know that they will continue to eat, drink, and vacation better than anyone in American, all while dismantling our culture, economy, and global power. We will be a third world country in the very near future. The layoffs have begun. Soon, companies will leave this nation. The wealthy have been expatriating for nearly a decade, and that will now be accelerated. When they are all gone, there will be no money to feed the takers any longer, and the bolshevik revolution will again be ignited. Communism will have taken hold, completely, as the majority will be starving.
    This is the plan of those two beautiful people hugging above. It is sad that the retards teaching the college kids, fail to denote the abject poverty that comes with their beloved Marxism-there’s a term for those kids/morons who voted for Barry a second time: Useful Idiots. Doubt Bill Ayers teaches that meaning in his classes at U of C! BUY LOTS OF AMMO!

    Report this comment

    matthew s harrison  
  • 1stzookid
    Posted on November 9, 2012 at 11:19am

    If this photo was taken after 11pm it should be dark outside under the blue skies.

    Report this comment

    1stzookid  
  • jungle J
    Posted on November 9, 2012 at 11:09am

    most of you are mad because no one loves you. you are selfish and unlovable.

    Report this comment

    jungle J  
    • Midwestgirl1116
      Posted on November 9, 2012 at 2:32pm

      What a weird thing to say. My son loves me, my husband. Selfish?? Well let’s see, I employ 30 people, homeschool my son on top of it all. What you say is plain foolish!

      Report this comment

      Midwestgirl1116  
  • kindling
    Posted on November 9, 2012 at 10:56am

    You must give a person some warning of such nauseating things first thing in the morning. I nearly lost my breakfast. This is the last thing I wanted to see today.

    Report this comment

    kindling  
  • Proverbs17-12NLT
    Posted on November 9, 2012 at 10:10am

    Yeah 4 more years of JZ concerts, unlimited golfing, eating the best food, and taking multi million dollar trips on the backs of Americans. Oh and don’t forget the $600 tennis shoes mooch.

    Report this comment

    Proverbs17-12NLT  
  • mtnvortex
    Posted on November 9, 2012 at 10:05am

    How heartwarming….Now I’ve got to clean the puke off my keyboard.

    Report this comment

    mtnvortex  
  • SilentOne
    Posted on November 9, 2012 at 9:32am

    Hunny we did we screwwd America again Lets Hug and Tweet it to the world … We F#$#ed you all again for the next 4 Years

    Report this comment

    SilentOne  
    • JRook
      Posted on November 9, 2012 at 10:09am

      The tenor and tone of the posts to this report will tell you everything you need to know about GB, the staff and what the purpose of mercury media is….. question is how much they influence their audience or how much they pander to the angry mob.

      Report this comment

      JRook  
    • JayCee
      Posted on November 9, 2012 at 12:09pm

      Things are really looking up now….

      like energy prices, food costs, taxes, tuition, interest rates, unemployment numbers, crime,….

      Report this comment

      JayCee  
  • silentme63
    Posted on November 9, 2012 at 9:03am

    47% depend of government… ROME was government with same issues… they also hated christians which I believe caused them to fall… America will continue to slip into the same Avenue because of our pride, and Godless nature. Our enemy has entered our gates, he rules us and will allow us to be taken into captivity. With Russians spotted on EAST coast, Chinese on WEST coast who are you fooling? I would say prepare pray for your soul, seek forgiveness from the LORD he has given us many chances, our down fall and collapse will start seven years tribulation…

    Report this comment

    silentme63  
  • AJAYW
    Posted on November 9, 2012 at 8:59am

    what a wonderful couple

    Report this comment

    AJAYW  
    • ivarnahs
      Posted on November 9, 2012 at 9:43am

      Yes. What a wonderful family! I love Obamas!!

      Report this comment

      ivarnahs  
    • wardance
      Posted on November 9, 2012 at 9:53am

      Pity what he has done to the country is far from wonderful, more like kicking the crap out of it.

      Report this comment

      wardance  
  • Stelex
    Posted on November 9, 2012 at 8:55am

    I knew it was the end of the Republic when I saw how many people watched “the jersey shore”. More than half the Republic are dumfounded dipshts and don’t have a clue. Well reality is gonna come smack them in the face soon, it may be in poor taste but I take solace in that.

    Report this comment

    Stelex  
    • betsyyoung
      Posted on November 9, 2012 at 9:01am

      Agreed! A huge majority of Americans are dumb as a box of rocks!!!

      Report this comment

      betsyyoung  
    • momrules
      Posted on November 9, 2012 at 9:05am

      Not poor taste at all Stelex, they need and will soon get a real wake up call.

      Report this comment

      momrules  
    • Bluefish49
      Posted on November 9, 2012 at 9:42am

      @betsyyoung…I prefer the phrase….”that boy is dumb as a sack of hammers” or “if stupid was an Olympic Sport that boy would win the gold”

      Report this comment

      Bluefish49  
  • BlackCrow
    Posted on November 9, 2012 at 8:51am

    I’m going to puke!

    Report this comment

    BlackCrow  
  • Chromo200
    Posted on November 9, 2012 at 8:50am

    You see .. Obama comes across as a lovable cuddly person that is concerned about me.

    Another lie .. That the picture was taken on election day .. While actually it was taken in August.

    It makes no difference to the Zombies, .. All I heard the last couple of years “I like him, and I don’t like the others”. It had nothing to do with issues, policies, murders of embassy people, taking your freedoms away, aborting thousands of babies. You look good and give me stuff I am your slave for ever.

    Report this comment

    Chromo200  
    • SoNick
      Posted on November 9, 2012 at 9:01am

      Did Obama claim it was taken on election day? The tweet only said “four more years”. So where’s the lie?

      Report this comment

      SoNick  
  • 65Mustang
    Posted on November 9, 2012 at 8:44am

    Ask me if I give a damn.

    Report this comment

    65Mustang  
  • Small World
    Posted on November 9, 2012 at 8:42am

    Is it any surprise that things are not as they appear??????

    Report this comment

    Small World  
  • Stoic one
    Posted on November 9, 2012 at 8:40am

    BLECH!

    those two are about as disingenuous as they come.

    Report this comment

    Stoic one  
  • EqualJustice
    Posted on November 9, 2012 at 8:39am

    AND.. how sweet is this? http://twitchy.com/2012/09/27/time-publishes-romneys-swoon-worthy-i-love-ann-pic-desperate-libs-attack/

    Report this comment

    EqualJustice  
    • RightUnite
      Posted on November 9, 2012 at 8:49am

      Very!! This is something you’ll NEVER, EVER see the current couple doing.

      Report this comment

      RightUnite  
  • ResistSocialism
    Posted on November 9, 2012 at 8:38am

    Aw that is so special. I don’t care about anything else now. That picture right there makes me a believer.

    Report this comment

    ResistSocialism  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on November 9, 2012 at 8:43am

      Yeah, like the Clintons dancing to no music while on vacation from the White House. Remember that one?

      Report this comment

      RJJinGadsden  
    • betsyyoung
      Posted on November 9, 2012 at 9:00am

      If that made you a believer, I have some swampland to sell you! Gawd, how can people be so dumb!

      Report this comment

      betsyyoung  
  • copatriots
    Posted on November 9, 2012 at 8:37am

    All the world’s a stage, my friends.

    It occurred to me yesterday that the first debate when 0bama looked incompetent was pure theater. I’m convinced that was staged and was intended to motivate the Dem base to get the vote out. They wanted their base to think they might lose the election. If I’m right, it was genius.

    Report this comment

     
    • biohazard23
      Posted on November 9, 2012 at 8:58am

      All the world’s indeed a stage,
      And we are merely players,
      Performers and portrayers,
      Each another’s audience
      Outside the gilded cage.

      Oh, I’m sorry, CoPats. You were talking about something else, weren’t you? At this point, talking about Rush and their music is probably more fun than what we’re going to experience over the next 4 years.

      Report this comment

       
    • Stelex
      Posted on November 9, 2012 at 9:12am

      Huge Rush fan Bio……..pretty soon we’ll be living 2112

      Report this comment

      Stelex  
    • Stelex
      Posted on November 9, 2012 at 9:17am

      Copats………ya got to give it to Obama……he knows how to play the base (needy)

      Just like the Pied Piper led rat through the streets
      Dance like marionettes swaying to the symphony of destruction.

      Just trying to keep the theme

      Report this comment

      Stelex  
    • biohazard23
      Posted on November 9, 2012 at 9:51am

      Stelex, true that, my friend.

      We just took the kids to see their very first Rush show last Saturday, and it was AWESOME as usual. :)

      Report this comment

       
  • EqualJustice
    Posted on November 9, 2012 at 8:36am

    That photo op came AFTER all the adorable pictures of the Romneys’ kissing, hugging and holding hands everywhere, even in their private car! Not to be outdone, the Obama photo… dah dah!

    Report this comment

    EqualJustice  
  • jhaydeng
    Posted on November 9, 2012 at 8:35am

    We have officially turned the office of the POTUS into a Hollywood reality show. Vanity has surpassed security! I’m sickened!

    Report this comment

    jhaydeng  
    • betsyyoung
      Posted on November 9, 2012 at 9:04am

      It has only just begun in earnest! Just wait for the massive lies and propaganda ahead! We ain’t seen nothing yet!!!!

      Report this comment

      betsyyoung  
    • UsedToBeLiberal
      Posted on November 9, 2012 at 9:15am

      I am waiting for the day I can truley say to those I know supported him…. “don’t blame me”

      Report this comment

      UsedToBeLiberal  
  • momrules
    Posted on November 9, 2012 at 8:35am

    They can’t even tell the truth about a picture. Pitiful………and the gullible keep falling over themselves to believe their lies.

    Report this comment

    momrules  
    • SoNick
      Posted on November 9, 2012 at 9:04am

      what lies? is he with he random woman he claims was his wife? Is the photo a complete fabrication? Obama never claimed this was taken on election day so I don’t see why I should be classified as a lie

      Report this comment

      SoNick  
    • betsyyoung
      Posted on November 9, 2012 at 9:06am

      Just rocks the minds of the intelligent, eh??? America has become really STUPID!!

      Report this comment

      betsyyoung  
    • betsyyoung
      Posted on November 9, 2012 at 9:08am

      Sonick is one of the dummies!

      Report this comment

      betsyyoung  
    • SoNick
      Posted on November 9, 2012 at 9:16am

      @betsyyoung

      Please try to refute my statement without resorting to personal insult. So far, you have failed to address the core of my post.

      Report this comment

      SoNick  
1 2

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love