"Obama saw me looking at them, [red buttons]" English billionaire Richard Branson wrote in his new autobiography, 'Finding My Virginity'. "He said, 'They used to be there for emergencies, but now I use them for ordering tea for my guests."
Earlier, US journalists discovered that President Donald Trump uses a red button (presumably the same one) to order soft drinks.
The 'Red Button' is the traditional term referring to the system allowing the leaders of nuclear powers to launch their arsenals in the event of war. In fact, the system is not so much a button, as it is a so-called nuclear briefcase packed with special instruments and codes for launching the weapons. The mobile system, which both the US and Russian leaders have, is designed for use in situations where fixed command posts, such as the White House Situation Room, are unavailable.
In the US, the so-called Presidential Emergency Satchel is often referred to as the 'Nuclear Football'. In Russia, the system is known as Cheget, and is part of the automatic system for the command and control of Russia's Strategic Nuclear Forces. In pop culture, the 'Red Button' has been the subject of numerous satirical films, cartoons and music videos over the years.
Branson, the billionaire owner of Virgin Group, and former President Obama are known to be close friends. After leaving office in January, the Obamas spent 10 days with the magnate on his private islands in the British Virgin Islands.
