Tom Hanks takes brutal jab at reporter live on-air at Obama Presidential Centre opening

Actor Tom Hanks took a surprising jab at a reporter during a live TV cross at the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago on Thursday.

MS NOW reporter Jacob Soboroff was live on-air when he approached Hanks, 69, for a chat, with the Hollywood star taking the opportunity to share a cheeky jab at the US network’s viewership.

“Great to see you,” Soboroff said, kickstarting the conversation with Hanks. 

That’s when the Hanks ignited the interview with a cheeky swipe, replying: “What can I do for the 800 people watching MS NOW?”

Soboroff did his best to blow past the tongue-in-cheek insult.

“Oh, come on. We’re live on MS NOW,”  the political correspondent said.

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“All right – add a zero to it,” Hanks shot back.

Sobroff wasn’t backing down, quipping: “I would say millions now that you’re on air.”

Hanks eased off as the reporter questioned him about the event, but the hilarious moment has since gone viral across the globe.

Hanks was one of many big name stars that gathered for the opening of the new Obama Presidential Centre – a museum, library, and education project commemorating the 44th US president.

The dedication ceremony for the Chicago museum kicked off with Barack and Michelle Obama greeting former presidents Bill Clinton, George W Bush and Joe Biden and former first ladies Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush and Jill Biden.

Geroge W and Michelle shared a joke together after the former president gave the former first lady some mints.

The event, which kicked off at 5pm on Thursday (2am Friday AEST), also featured a who’s who of performers including rock legend Bruce Springsteen, Barack’s former podcast co-host.

U2’s Bono is listed as a performer, as are Stevie Wonder, Christina Aguilera, Eddie Vedder, Common, Jennifer Hudson, Marc Anthony and John Legend.

Barack and Michelle’s daughters, Sasha and Malia Obama, were also on hand for the big event.

Ahead of the dedication ceremony, the Obamas held a stakeholders event at the presidential museum on Tuesday where Michelle wore a skirt with the face of her late mother, Marian Robinson, printed on the front.

The poignant fashion choice for the event made Barack emotional on-stage.

Then the couple made a surprise appearance on Wednesday (Thursday AEST) at an event for administration and campaign alumni.

Michelle shared photos from the event on social media, with a caption giving thanks to the hundreds who have helped them along the way.

“Barack and I never did anything alone,” she wrote.

“Through two national campaigns, eight years in the White House, and in all the years since, we had an incredible team backing us up and pushing us forward.

“It was such a joy to be back together with so many of the alumni who’ve supported us over the years.

“We’ll forever be grateful for their work, and our country is better off thanks to their service. We love you.”

The former president echoed the sentiment on his own social media pages, sharing a video from the event.

“Michelle and I will always be grateful for the chance to work side-by-side with so many brilliant, selfless people who believed in something bigger than themselves,” he captioned the clip.

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“But the Obama Presidential Centre is not just about commemorating the work we did together. It’s about inspiring the next generation to make their mark, too.

“Thank you for everything you did for us, and everything you’re still doing to leave this world better than you found it.”

During his rousing speech, the former president told the alumni, he doesn’t want the centre to be a place of nostalgia - for them or the American people.

He hopes the exhibitions of all they achieved across their two terms in office will serve to inspire others about what’s possible.

This year marks 10 years since the Obamas left the White House.

In their first joint interview since leave the White House, they told Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts they were only looking forward.

Barack told Roberts he’d “tried to move from player to coach” and was trying to find the balance in his post-presidential life.

“I think Michelle, you know, very much would prefer a quieter life for us,” he said.

“And on the other hand, there’ve been some folks who would like to see me out every day, right, banging the drum.”

The Obama Presidential Centre is an $850 million project spanning across about 7.7 hectares of Chicago’s Jackson Park, on the south side of the city where Michelle Obama grew up.

Barack moved to Chicago after his university studies and became a community organiser in Chicago’s south side.

The campus includes a four-story museum and includes a branch of the Chicago Public Library, a playground, athletic centre, basketball courts and a picnic area with barbecues.