Barack Obama makes Tiger King reference in graduation speech

Former president issued an address to American graduates who finished their education during lockdown

Barack Obama revealed he’s a fan of Tiger King during his Graduate Together speech.

The former US president delivered an address to celebrate America’s high school seniors, in which he made a reference to the hit Netflix show.

“As much as I’m sure you love your parents,” he said, “I’ll bet that being stuck at home with them and playing board games or watching Tiger King on TV is not exactly how you envisioned the last few months of your senior year.”

“It’s also pulled the curtain back on another hard truth, something that we all have to eventually accept once our childhood comes to an end,” he added.

“All of those adults who you used to think were in charge and knew what they were doing? Turns out, they don’t have all the answers. A lot of them aren’t even asking the right questions. So, if the world is going to get better, it’s going to be up to you.

“That realisation may be kind of intimating, but I hope it’s also inspiring.”

Tiger King has proved to be one of Netflix’s biggest successes to date. The documentary series details the extraordinary events at Joe Exotic’s big cat sanctuary and his subsequent 22-year prison sentence, which he is currently serving, for a number of charges including murder-for-hire.

Exotic is seeking a presidential pardon from Donald Trump.

Tiger King is available to watch on Netflix now.