Kentucky crowd cheers for valedictorian's Trump quote, gets quiet when he reveals Obama actually said it


As Mark Twain once famously said, you can't believe everything you read on the internet, and it seems you also need to start questioning quotes you hear in graduation speeches.
At the Bell County High School commencement this weekend in Pineville, Kentucky, valedictorian Ben Bowling, 18, pulled a bait-and-switch, telling the audience: "This is the part of my speech where I share some inspirational quotes I found on Google. 'Don't just get involved. Fight for your seat at the table. Better yet, fight for a seat at the head of the table.' Donald J. Trump."
President Trump is popular in this part of Kentucky, and the crowd cheered when they heard his name. Then, Bowling dropped a truth bomb. "I'm kidding," he said. "That was Barack Obama." The hoots and hollers died down, a few people laughed, and someone let out a low boo. Bowling told the Louisville Courier Journal that he heard the quote in Obama's May 2012 commencement speech delivered at Barnard College, and while he thought it was a nice sentiment, he knew how the crowd would react. "Most people wouldn't like it if I used it," he said. "So I thought I'd use Donald Trump's name. It is southeastern Kentucky after all." Catherine Garcia
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
Income-driven repayment for student loans: how it works and alternatives
The explainer IDR can make a big difference in the affordability of federal student loan payments
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
'In a fight, spectacle matters'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
South Korea court removes impeached president
Speed Read The Constitutional Court upheld the impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol after his declaration of martial law in December
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump axes NSA head, NSC staff after Loomer advice
Speed Read On the recommendation of Laura Loomer, Trump fired the head of the National Security Agency and several National Security Council officials
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump says tariffs 'going very well' as markets fall
speed read US financial markets had their biggest one-day drop since the advent of Covid-19
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump rolls out tariffs on virtually all imports
Speed Read On "Liberation Day," Trump announced a 10% baseline tariff on all imports to America and higher reciprocal tariffs for some 60 other countries
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sen. Booker's 25-hour speech beats Thurmond
Speed Read He spoke for the longest time in recorded Senate history, protesting the Trump administration's policies
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Bondi seeks death penalty for Luigi Mangione
Speed Read Mangione was charged with fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last year
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Democrats win costly Wisconsin court seat
Speed Read Democrats prevailed in an election for the Wisconsin Supreme Court despite Elon Musk's robust financial support of the Republican candidate
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
WHCA rejects White House press seating grab
Speed Read The White House Correspondents' Association objected to the Trump administration's bid to control where journalists sit during press briefings
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump sends more migrants to El Salvador jail
Speed Read Another 17 Venezuelan alleged gang members have been deported to a notorious prison
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published