Barack Obama and Donald Trump, the 44th and 45 presidents of the United States, don’t much like each other. Trump started his national political career by spreading vicious lies about Obama’s citizenship and birth certificate. Obama, for his part, has vigorously campaigned against Trump on behalf of Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, and now Kamala Harris.
This week, while appearing at a campaign office ahead of his rally in Pittsburgh, Obama made some eyebrow-raising comments about the reported reluctance of some Black men to support Harris for president.
“My understanding, based on reports I’m getting from campaigns and communities, is that we have not yet seen the same kinds of energy and turnout in all quarters of our neighborhoods and communities as we saw when I was running,” Obama said, something which “seems to be more pronounced with the brothers.” The former president went on to state that “part of it makes me think — and I’m speaking to men directly — part of it makes me think that, well, you just aren’t feeling the idea of having a woman as president, and you’re coming up with other alternatives and other reasons for that.”
Some were critical of Obama for saying that, although his argument was clearly with the goal of getting such men to vote for Harris.
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Trump, however, took it another way:
It’s a fairly safe bet that Obama will not be voting for Donald Trump in November. After all, he appeared that night at a rally for Harris, where he criticized Trump sharply. This included his ripping Trump for his claim to have never changed a diaper when his children were babies.
Obama: Or diapers. I remember buying diapers. Do you think Donald Trump ever changed a diaper?
Supporter: His own!
Obama: I almost said that, but I decided I should not say it. pic.twitter.com/iaUj89I2DD
— Acyn (@Acyn) October 10, 2024
More seriously, Obama at that rally ripped Trump for lying about hurricane relief to “score political points,” which he argued has hurt people who need help.
“When did that become OK?,” Obama asked. “Why would we go along with that?”
Holy shit! Barack Obama just reminded everyone why is is considered the preeminent orator of our generation. Obama is delivering a tour de force in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is annihilating Trump like I’ve never seen before. 🙌🙏👏👊🌊 pic.twitter.com/TEtOeiXoXZ
— Bill Madden (@maddenifico) October 11, 2024
“When Donald Trump lies or cheats or shows utter disregard for our Constitution, when he calls POWs losers or fellow citizens vermin, people make excuses for it,” he said.
Photo courtesy of Political Tribune image library.
