A new Netflix series has been released focused on the investigation to find and kill Osama bin Laden.
The founder of Al Qaeda, who orchestrated 9/11, was killed by a US Navy Seal operation in 2011.
The Netflix doc, American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden, features a number of interviews with people close to the operation, including some who were in the room with Barack Obama when it took place.
While pictures of Obama, Joe Biden, and Hillary Clinton surrounded by generals and staffers are borderline iconic, what is less known is what was said once it was confirmed that bin Laden had been killed.
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Following Seal Team Six’s report back that bin Laden was dead after the raid of his compound in Pakistan, White House Communications Advisor Benjamin Rhodes reveals in the Netflix documentary what was said.
He describes how, when the team finally radioed back to inform the White House he was dead, it came in the form of a signal, with the ground force commander radioing ‘Geronimo, Geronimo, we got him’.
Rhodes said: “We know that means that Osama bin Laden has been killed by U.S. forces, it was, like, 'holy sh*t'.”
The former White House staffer then said that ‘no one really said anything’ and that there was an extended moment of silence.
John Brennan, the former Director of the CIA, added: “There was no applauding, it was a very very silent room.”
Rhodes finally reveals Obama’s reaction is what broke the silence, saying: “The silence is broken by Obama who didn’t move from his chair, and he just said: ‘We got him’.”
Another staffer emotionally recalls the moment, saying he told himself: “Justice delayed not denied.”
Ben Rhodes goes on to say: “Obama still looked pretty stressed out, he goes ‘I want you to tell me the minute they’re out of Pakistani airspace’.”
The revelation of the moments following President Obama gives insight into one of American history’s most famous moments, with Obama announcing the news to the American people shortly after this.
The documentary, which gives insight into the operation to bring bin Laden to justice, has been controversial.
While some have praised it, others have pointed to and criticised several aspects of the series.
Among this is that it takes the account of Robert O’Neill, a Navy Seal who has long claimed to be the man who killed Osama bin Laden.
This has been disputed, with another Navy Seal from Seal Team Six claiming that he was actually the man who shot him.
One viewer, posting a one star review on IMDb, said: “A typical kick-ass, tough, stereotype stupid American documentary which brings absolutely nothing new to the table.”
Others, however, have been full of praise for the doc.
One viewer took to X to post: “American Manhunt: Osama Bin Laden on Netflix is an absolute must watch. Top tier content.”
Another said: “Literally 20 min into American Manhunt: Osama Bin Laden, I feel this is going to be the most watched documentary on Netflix. Top stuff.”
American Manhunt: Osama Bin Laden is available to stream on Netflix now.
Topics: Barack Obama, Documentaries, Netflix, Osama bin Laden, TV, TV and Film
Michael Slavin