Despite not yet attending as president, Donald Trump had his own memorable moment at the dinner. In 2011, he was a prominent figure in the "birther" movement against then-President
Barack Obama, using social media and frequent Fox News Channel appearances to push the false narrative that the first Black president was born in Kenya and was not a natural-born US citizen.
However, at the Washington Hilton, Obama held the lectern – and he used it with Trump sitting directly in front of him. "Tonight, for the first time, I am releasing my official birth video," Obama deadpanned, before showing the opening scene of Disney's
The Lion King, depicting the royal cub Simba being presented on the savanna.
Obama then turned his fire directly on the reality television star. "No one is happier, no one is prouder to put this birth certificate matter to rest than the Donald," Obama said. "And that's because he can finally get back to focusing on the issues that matter. For example, did we fake the moon landing? What really happened in Roswell? And where are Biggie and Tupac?"