Tom Hanks delivered an unexpected on-air roast of a live television reporter at the ceremonial opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago on June 18, leaving the correspondent momentarily speechless and sending the clip viral across social media within hours.
MS NOW Senior National and Political Correspondent Jacob Soboroff was reporting live from the star-studded dedication event when he spotted Hanks in the crowd and called out to the Oscar-winning actor. After a few awkward seconds in which Hanks acknowledged others nearby, he turned to Soboroff with a sharp-tongued opener: “What can I do for the 800 people watching MS NOW?”
Soboroff quickly pushed back, reminding the Forrest Gump star that the exchange was being broadcast live. Hanks barely flinched, firing back that Soboroff should simply add a zero to the figure. The reporter, holding his own with good humor, suggested that millions were tuning in now that Hanks had stepped in front of the camera. The moment landed like a perfectly timed punchline, and the clip began spreading rapidly online before the broadcast had even wrapped.
A Jab With Some Truth Behind It
Hanks was not entirely wrong to poke fun. MS NOW, the network formerly known as MSNBC before its spin-off from Comcast’s NBCUniversal under the newly formed parent company Versant, has seen its audience shrink considerably over the past decade. As of the first quarter of 2026, the network’s viewership figures showed an average daily audience of 691,000 viewers and a primetime audience of 1.1 million viewers — a notable drop from the 1.1 million total viewers it averaged in 2016. Hanks’ quip put that decline squarely in the spotlight, albeit with a grin rather than a grimace.
Back at the studio desk, anchor Katy Tur wrapped up the segment with dry amusement, saying she appreciated Hanks’ time on air while acknowledging he had been “very supportive of the press, at least in the past.” Soboroff, for his part, kept his composure throughout, and the two men ended the exchange on good terms before moving on to discuss the significance of the day’s ceremonies.
A Historic Day on Chicago’s South Side
The viral moment unfolded against the backdrop of a genuinely momentous occasion. The Obama Presidential Center, a sprawling museum, library, and education complex commemorating the 44th president of the United States, officially opened on the South Side of Chicago after breaking ground in 2021. The invite-only dedication ceremony drew an extraordinary assembly of political heavyweights and entertainment royalty alike.
Former Presidents Joe Biden, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton attended alongside former first ladies Jill Biden, Laura Bush, and Hillary Clinton. Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s daughters, Sasha and Malia Obama, were present for the milestone, as were Karlie Kloss and Oprah Winfrey, who was photographed taking a selfie with the crowd buzzing around her. The event kicked off at 5pm Thursday and featured performances from Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Bono, Christina Aguilera, Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Marc Anthony, The Roots, and Common.
Obama Foundation CEO Valerie Jarrett said the lineup of performers was chosen deliberately to energize those who attended and those watching from afar. Jarrett said the grand opening ceremony was designed to reflect a spirit of inspiration and joy, and that the foundation hoped to encourage people everywhere to believe in their power to bring change home.
Days of Events Leading to the Opening
The dedication ceremony capped several days of gatherings tied to the center’s grand opening. On Tuesday, the Obamas hosted a stakeholders event at the presidential museum, where Michelle Obama made a poignant fashion statement — wearing a skirt bearing the image of her late mother, Marian Robinson, on the front. The tribute reportedly moved Barack Obama to tears on stage. Then on Wednesday, the couple made a surprise appearance at an alumni gathering for former administration and campaign staff. Michelle Obama later shared photos from that event on social media, writing that she and Barack had never done anything alone, and that the years of support from their team had made everything possible.
The multi-day celebration was set to continue into the weekend, with a series of community events planned across Chicago’s South Side neighborhood. Hanks was one of many prominent figures who made the trip to mark the occasion — though, thanks to his blunt greeting to Jacob Soboroff, he ended up generating one of the most widely shared moments of the week.
