Premier Silvio Berlusconi is still talking about President Barack Obama’s “tan,” and this time the gaffe-prone Italian leader has made a wisecrack about Michelle Obama’s skin color as well.
Berlusconi told a Milan rally of conservative supporters on Sunday that he was bringing greetings from the United States from “What’s his name? Some tanned guy. Ah, Barack Obama!”
Shortly after Obama’s election in November 2008, Berlusconi raised eyebrows by saying the victor was “young, handsome, and even has a good tan.”
This time, Berlusconi, a billionaire media mogul who began his career as a cruise ship entertainer, also took a jab at the First Lady.
“You won’t believe it,” he said, “but two of them went to the beach because the wife is also tanned.”
Berlusconi is known for his gaffes.
European media have played up photos showing Michelle Obama greeting many leaders at the G-20 summit in Pittsburgh summit last week with a kiss but stiffly holding out her arm for a handshake when it came time to greet Berlusconi.
The photos show Berlusconi’s gazing at Mrs. Obama’s gown, instead of her face, and holding his arms out as if in delight at what he sees, while the U.S. President looks on, apparently not amused.
