"Not Bad" Obama Face
Published September 10, 2026
During President Obama's 2011 state visit to the United Kingdom, a Reuters photograph captured him and First Lady Michelle Obama wearing an unexpected 'sturgeon face' expression at Buckingham Palace. Within days, Reddit users transformed the image into a rage comic reaction face with the caption 'Not Bad,' spawning one of the most recognizable approval faces in meme history.
Overview
The "Not Bad" Obama Face functions as a positive reaction image expressing pleasant surprise or approval when something exceeds expectations. The format takes its power from the contrast between Obama's typically composed presidential demeanor and the candid, almost comically impressed expression captured in the photograph. Users deploy it in rage comics and standalone reactions to convey grudging respect or unexpectedly positive outcomes1.
The face itself shows Obama with raised eyebrows, pursed lips pushed forward, and a slight downward tilt of the head. This distinctive expression, sometimes called a 'sturgeon face,' became shorthand for the phrase 'not bad' even without accompanying text. A companion version featuring Michelle Obama with a similar expression, dubbed the 'O RLY' variant, appeared the same day and saw its own spread3.
The meme slots into the broader rage comic ecosystem alongside faces like 'Forever Alone' and 'Me Gusta,' but uniquely draws from a real, recognizable public figure. This gave it crossover appeal beyond typical rage comic audiences, making it accessible to anyone familiar with Obama's public image.
Origin & Background
How It Spread
How to Use This Meme
The "Not Bad" Obama Face is typically used to express approval or pleasant surprise when an outcome exceeds expectations. In classic rage comic format, it appears as the final panel after a series of events leads to an unexpectedly positive result. The face works best when the approval is somewhat grudging or the positive outcome was initially doubted. Users often pair it with situations like receiving unexpected good news, witnessing someone perform better than anticipated, or acknowledging a clever comeback. The image can be used with or without the 'Not Bad' caption, as the expression alone conveys the meaning.