9 Photos Of Obama & Oprah That Will Bring You Back To Simpler Times

We all remember the simpler times. The term means something different to each of us, but for many, it's a time when celebrities were celebrities and politicians were politicians. Now, with a former reality TV star as president and rumors of a former talk show host running against him for the top spot, things are more complicated. But back in the day, celebrities supported politicians — like how Oprah supported Obama — instead of becoming them.

Since the election of Donald Trump in 2016, it seems like tons of celebrities are talking about running for office themselves. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson said he was "seriously considering" running for president. Kanye said he'd run, too. Jerry Springer bounced around the idea of becoming the governor of Ohio. There was even speculation for a while that Kid Rock would run for Senate — he later said "F*ck no I'm not."

As Twitter pointed out, Oprah is a good person, but being a good person doesn't necessarily make someone qualified for president. Back in the "simpler days," they used their fame to express opinions, not make world decisions. And, well, Oprah looooooved Obama. Let's take a look back at some of the times Obama & Oprah got together, in her capacity as a celebrity supporter and charitable entertainer.

"Oprah-bama"

You could see the admiration in Oprah's eyes as she watched Obama speak during a campaign rally in Iowa in 2007. Oprah joined the then-presidential candidate in three states that year to highlight her support for him.

Her Support Is Very Clear

At an event in South Carolina, Oprah again made her support very, very clear.

Woo Woo!

And Oprah joined the Obamas on stage at a campaign rally in Manchester, New Hampshire. In her speech during the event, Oprah said it wasn't enough for politicians to just tell the truth, "We need politicians who know how to be the truth."

A First Christmas

In 2009, the Obamas joined Oprah on The Oprah Winfrey Show to reflect on their first Christmas in the White House.

The Feeling Is Mutual

Oprah was a 2010 Kennedy Center Honoree, an award that celebrates people in the performing arts and their lifetime of contributions to American culture.

Obama gave a speech recognizing her, stating: "Michelle and I love Oprah Winfrey. Personally love this woman. And the more you know Oprah, the more spectacular you realize her character and her soul are, and the more you appreciate what a wonderful, gifted person she is."

"I Knew I Had Been Born"

The Obamas again joined Oprah during The Oprah Winfrey Show in spring 2011. The appearance came soon after Obama released the long-form version of his birth certificate following a challenge from Trump, who was calling Obama's legitimacy into question.

When Oprah asked him about where he was born, "Can I just say? I was there, so I knew that — I knew I had been born. I remembered it."

Commemorating MLK Jr.

Obama and Oprah both spoke at an event in 2013 commemorating the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, when Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous "I Have A Dream" speech.

"Dr. King believed that our destinies are all intertwined, and he knew that our hopes and our dreams are really all the same," she said. "He challenged us to see how we all are more alike than we are different."

Receiving The Medal Of Freedom

In 2013, Obama awarded Oprah the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which recognizes people who have made "meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors."

During his speech announcing the award, Obama said Oprah had an "innate gift for tapping into our fervent hopes and our deepest fears."

Celebrating African-American History

Obama, Oprah, and Will Smith (among others) spoke when the National Museum of African American History and Culture opened in September 2016. The museum, which featured an exhibit on Obama as the first black president, is "moving and profound," Oprah said.

There are both pros and cons to Oprah being president. Whatever you think about it, though, many say it certainly did seem a bit simpler when celebs were supporting politicians, not trying to be one.