May 14, 1984. Michael Jackson stood on the South Lawn of the White House in his aviator sunglasses, sequined glove, and admiral’s jacket, about to receive a presidential award.
What he didn’t expect was President Reagan setting him up for a joke in front of the entire press corps.
The President Made A Joke
Reagan opened by referencing Thriller, joking that the South Lawn hadn’t seen this many people since he’d returned from China. The crowd laughed. Then he turned to Michael directly.
“I hope you’ll forgive me,” Reagan said, “but we have quite a few young folks in the White House who all wanted me to give you the same message.
THEY SAID TO TELL MICHAEL, ‘PLEASE GIVE SOME TLC TO THE PYTS.’ Now, I know that sounds a little off the wall, but you know what I mean.”
The crowd erupted. Michael, famously shy and rarely seen reacting openly in public, couldn’t keep a straight face. He burst out laughing, listening to the reference.
The president of the United States had just casually referenced two of his biggest songs in one line — TLC, tender loving care, paired with PYT, Pretty Young Thing — and delivered it like he’d been workshopping the joke all morning.
Listen To The Songs Here
Michael was there that day to be honored for letting “Beat It” be used in a national campaign against drunk driving. He spoke only thirteen words the entire ceremony, thanking the President and First Lady.
But it was Reagan’s punchline, and Michael’s reaction to it, that people remember decades later. A president quoting Michael Jackson lyrics back at him, and getting the laugh he was going for.