Newly inaugurated President Joe Biden broke from his Parade Across America route to give a fist bump to NBC anchor Al Roker on his way to the White House.
“Mr President! Dr Biden! How are you feeling?” Roker called from the media area, prompting President Biden to run over and give a fist bump to the NBC anchor.
“It feels great,” Biden responded.
“Well, got a fist bump! There you go!” Roker said afterward.
Review: Biden’s inauguration ceremony was a safe, soothing tribute to anti-fascism
“It's a pretty nice feeling,” he told his Today Show co-anchors.” “This is a man who waited 50 years, who was first elected in 1970 to a county official job, and now here he is, the leader of the free world, and that's what America is all about.”
The move prompted delight from viewers all across social media.
“Me seeing Joe Biden running to someone: JOE PLEASE BE SAFE. Me seeing it's Al Roker: oh hell yeah run to Al Roker,” wrote one follower.
An eagle-eyed viewer also noted how the moment reflected the time at the 2013 inaugural parade when Roker got a handshake from then-Vice President Biden.
“And the day is complete. My man @alroker for the @POTUS fist bump,” Today Show co-anchor Craig Melvin wrote on Twitter.
“President Biden ignored many reporters but ran over to greet Al Roker,” wrote another viewer.
“I’m screaming. It happened. @alroker @POTUS #InaugurationDay,” wrote another.
NBC Washington News Chief Andrea Mitchell also noted how Biden went out of his way to say hello to Washington, DC mayor Muriel Bowser.
“@AlRoker gets @POTUS to run over and say hi on his brief walk to the White House,” they said.
“He also stopped for @MikeMemoli and to say hi to @MurielBowser DC Mayor and now with fanfare he and Dr Biden have entered the North Portico for the first time as @POTUS and @FLOTUS.”
Biden’s inauguration concert included performances from Katy Perry, Justin Timberlake, Demi Lovato and more – read about the highlights here.
