WASHINGTON. He was only 11 when he entered the White House and interviewed none other than Barack Obama, the first African American president in history. Damon Weaver was also an African American and became a small star on social media, the youngest reporter to ever interview a president in office. Last May 1st, he died at the age of 23, according to the Florida county newspaper where he grew up and where his family lives, the Palm Beach Post. He died suddenly of natural causes, explains his sister, and for now no other details have been leaked about what happened.
The interview with Obama, made for the amateur broadcaster set up by his elementary school, Kec Tv, dates back to August 13, 2009 and lasts about ten minutes, still visible on YouTube where he has collected over a million views and an ocean by like. But Damon had risen to the headlines already the previous year, when during an electoral event in his city he managed to approach and interview the then candidate for vice president Joe Biden. Then, sent to Washington in January 2009 to cover Obama’s swearing-in ceremony, with stubbornness and great professionalism he managed to intercept and ask questions of many of the illustrious present, including TV star Oprah Whinfrey and basketball star Dwyane Wade. . In short, the makings of the reporter Damon had it in his blood, and the meeting with Obama was the fulfillment of a dream and the confirmation of the path he should have followed.
“That experience changed his life,” says his sister, explaining how Damon had studied communication sciences and graduated last year from Albany State University, in Georgia, where he was able to enter thanks to a well-deserved scholarship. . In the chat with the president he talked about school, the uneasiness of the communities most affected by the crisis, bullying, basketball and much more, not without some “uncomfortable” questions. “Great job Damon!” Obama finally congratulated. “Can I be his friend?” Biden already agrees … », the last words that the boy addressed to the president with a smile, inviting him to come to his school:« Of course! », The president’s reply.