On the list of celebrity finsta accounts we’d most like to find, President Barack Obama’s name is right up top — just below Beyoncé, but way above Ben Affleck.
While it’s unclear if the former president actually has a fake Instagram account, in a recent voter PSA he recorded for ATTN, Obama sent the internet into a frenzy by hinting that he’s the proud owner of a finsta.
In the three-minute video, Obama speaks to young people about the importance of voting in the 2020 election and thanks them for teaching him about how to successfully quarantine, how to “make a mean sourdough starter,” and how to do the popular TikTok dance, the “Renegade challenge.” (“Renegade” was also Obama’s secret service code name, so he’s a real big fan of the challenge.)
“You showed me the ‘Renegade Challenge’ —great name by the way — which I’ve been enjoying on my finsta,” Obama says in the video. A definition for finsta (“Secret Instagram account”) then flashes on the screen before Obama moves on.
The American people however, cannot move on. Not without knowing if Obama actually has a finsta or not.
It’s very likely that Obama was just trying to stay hip and appeal to young voters by joking about having a finsta, but the sheer prospect of its existence is one of the most exciting things to happen all year.
Sure, Obama may have had no idea what a finsta was until he read the script for this video. But we’re desperate for something good in this world, so we’re choosing to imagine that somewhere out there is a Barack finsta full of photos of Bo and Sunny, books he’s reading, and bowls of his legendary homemade chili. Maybe Malia and Sasha helped him set it up.
While the actual message of Obama’s voting PSA and the resources he shared in his tweet are extremely important, Twitter users couldn’t help but get a little distracted by the idea of a finsta.
Now that I know Obama has a finsta I won’t know peace
— Aliya (@aliya_daniels) September 16, 2020
Obama show us your finsta challenge 👀
But for real, listen to what he’s saying and make a plan for Nov 3! And then remind your friends and family to do the same! https://t.co/KweMJ3ZVB1
— Emily ‘Text FLORIDA to 30330 🍊’ Bowers (@emilyxoxobowers) September 16, 2020
In which former President Obama mentions sourdough starters, his Finsta, doing the Renegade (his Secret Service code name) challenge and lays out making a plan to vote 👇 https://t.co/YdN0BOfuEg
— Dan Merica (@merica) September 16, 2020
BARACK OBAMA HAS A FINSTA???????? P A R D O N ?????????
— Gray Button up Shirt from the Macy’s Kids Section (@RoxyIsOffline) September 16, 2020
Operation Find Obama’s Finsta commences now
— CGB (@cydthewonderkyd) September 16, 2020
If the finsta is out there, we have faith some social media mastermind will uncover it. Until then, let’s all keep dreaming about its possible content. Oh, and GO REGISTER TO VOTE!