Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Dublin Live
Dublin Live
Entertainment
Jamie Roberts & Aakanksha Surve

Bono 'passed out' in Lincoln room after drinks with then-President Obama at White House

U2 frontman Bono revealed how he once woke up in Abraham Lincoln's bedroom in the White House after drinks with former US president Barack Obama.

The Dubliner said he had a few "strong cocktails" and red wine with Obama while visiting the White House with his wife, Ali Hewson. Bono, 62, explained how he passed out due to an allergic reaction to salicylates, which can often be found in red wine.

The allergic reaction can result in him "falling asleep somewhere", the Mirror UK reports. The singer said: "I had them [cocktails] and the wine and the allergy and I ended up slipping out for a kip and the president said to Ali after about 10 minutes, ‘Where’s Bono gone?'

Read more: Louis Walsh 'saved U2' after overhearing conversation about band's manager

"She said, ‘He’s just gone for a sleep.’ [Obama] said, ‘I’m sorry?’" Ali told Obama that Bono "had to go for these sleeps".

She added: "I’ve been with him for 30 years, don’t you worry a thing about him, Mr President. I’ll go find him'."

The 44th president insisted on accompanying Ali in the search for the music legend. Obama burst into laughter when they found Bono "asleep in the bosom of Abraham himself".

Speaking to Zoe Ball on BBC Radio 2, he said: ""And there I was in Lincoln’s bedroom, asleep, fallen asleep in the bosom of Abraham himself. He just woke me up and laughed. President laughed his head off."

Bono said Obama still tells people he "can drink me under the people" and continues to mock him even to this day. He does make strong cocktails, though, just saying,” Bono added.

Bono also revealed the White House has been found sleeping in "really awkward spots". Among those he listed included the lighting desk of Sonic Youth, a car bonnet, and on the street.

READ MORE

Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.