Obama told aides Monday that he “appreciated the spirit” in which Wilmore used the N-word at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, which came after an observation about how far the country had come on racial attitudes during his lifetime.

“When I was a kid, I lived in a country where people couldn’t accept a black quarterback,” said the Comedy Central host. “Now think about that. A black man was thought by his mere color not good enough to lead a football team — and now, to live in your time, Mr. President, when a black man can lead the entire free world.”

“Words alone do me no justice. So, Mr. President, if i’m going to keep it 100: Yo, Barry, you did it, my n—a. You did it.”