CHICAGO — President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama arrived in Chicago on Wednesday morning to tape Oprah Winfrey’s nationally syndicated television show.
They landed at O’Hare International Airport just before 11 a.m. CDT and were greeted by Mayor Richard Daley, according to pool reports. From there, a helicopter flew them to Soldier Field, where a motorcade took the president and his contingent to Winfrey’s studio in the West Loop.
The Obamas’ stay in Chicago will be brief. They leave mid-afternoon for fundraisers in New York City.
Winfrey’s relationship with the Obamas dates to their days in Chicago.
Most notably, she lent her credibility and celebrity
status to his 2008 presidential campaign with her first-ever political
endorsement. She joined him at campaign rallies that drew supporters by
the thousands, raised money for him and cheered for him at the Democratic National Convention.
On election night, she was seen weeping in the crowd during Obama’s victory speech in downtown Chicago.
The Oprah program is scheduled to air Monday. The show is ending May 25 after a quarter-century.
“Her show is coming to a conclusion of a terrific run,” White House spokesman Jay Carney said. Obama “considers Oprah a friend and he looks forward to being on the show.”
Marian Robinson, the first lady’s mother, and Bill Daley, White House chief of staff, traveled with the Obamas to Chicago. Daley is the brother of Mayor Daley.
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