Selfie overload: Obama poses for picture with Malaysian prime minister
This may be getting out of hand.
President Obama was again roped into taking a selfie on Sunday morning, this time with Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Razak, who promptly posted the photo to his Twitter account.
My selfie with President Obama ! pic.twitter.com/mr94wZtmuA
— Mohd Najib Tun Razak (@NajibRazak) April 27, 2014
The two leaders are all smiles in the photograph, but Mr. Obama's trip to Malaysia, part of a four-country swing through Southeast Asia, was more substantive than lighthearted. He raised human rights issues with Razak regarding the Malaysian government's treatment of the opposition, and he extended his condolences to a country that is still grieving the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370.
It's not the first time in recent months that the president has taken a selfie with some very famous people, though the candid photographs have not always been well received.
During a memorial service for former South African President Nelson Mandela last December, the president was spotted posing for a selfie with British Prime Minister David Cameron and Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt. Some thought the moment of levity was inappropriate for such a somber occasion.And in April, Mr. Obama was captured on camera with Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz, who also tweeted his selfie with the president.
"As a rule the White House objects to attempts to use the president's likeness for commercial purposes," spokesman Jay Carney told reporters, "and we certainly object in this case."
Less controversial was a selfie taken by Vice President Joe Biden of himself and the president as the two men were riding in the back of the presidential limo during a joint trip to Oakdale, Pa.
Biden posted the photo to his new Instagram account, explaining, "Found a friend to join my first selfie on Instagram. Thanks for following and stay tuned."