Former First Lady Michelle Obama took a swipe at former President Donald Trump during the 2024 Democratic National Convention.
Obama, 60, made the pointed comments on the second night of the convention on Tuesday, August 20.
“Now unfortunately we know what’s going to happen. We know people will do whatever they can to twist the truth. [Kamala Harris’] The truth,” she said after praising the Democratic presidential candidate’s leadership.
“Sadly, my husband and I know a thing or two about this,” she continued. “For years, Donald Trump has tried his best to make people fear us. See, his limited, narrow view of the world made him feel threatened by two hard-working, highly educated, successful people who just happened to All black.
“I wonder,” she added, “who could tell him that the job he’s currently looking for might be one of those ‘black jobs’?”
Her comments, which drew thunderous applause at Chicago’s United Center, appeared to be a reference to Trump’s recent argument that immigrants are “taking jobs away from black people” during his June 27 debate with President Joe Biden first proposed in .
Obama’s attack contrasted with her political stance at the Democratic National Committee in 2016, when she declined to name Trump directly, instead saying, “Our motto” while discussing the criticism Hillary Clinton faced from Republicans. It’s: When they go low, we go high” on the campaign trail.
In his 2024 Democratic National Committee speech, Obama accused Trump of “taking the low road” and highlighted the differences between this year’s major party candidates.
“[Harris] Understand that most of us will never have the grace to fail,” she said.
“If we let a business go bankrupt, or go into crisis, we don’t have a second, third or fourth chance,” she said, alluding to Trump’s corporate failures and generational wealth. “If things don’t go our way, we have no way of complaining or tricking others to make further progress, no. We can’t change the rules, so we always win. If we see a mountain ahead we don’t expect to see it Escalators awaited us to the top.
“This much could not be clearer: Of the two major candidates in this race, only Kamala Harris truly understands the invisible effort and unwavering commitment that Commitment has always made America great,” she added.
Obama and her husband, former President Barack Obama, endorsed Harris after Biden announced he was withdrawing from the presidential race and backed the vice president’s claim to the Democratic ticket.
“We agree with President Biden – choosing Kamala was one of the best decisions he has ever made. Her resume can prove it,” the Obamas said in a statement. “But Kamala has more than just a resume. She has the vision, character and strength needed in this critical moment.”
They added: “There is no question that Kamala Harris is more than capable of winning this election and delivering for the American people. She gives us reason to be hopeful at a time when the stakes have never been higher.”
The DNC event continues through Thursday, August 22, with other speakers including former President Bill Clinton, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg taking the stage, along with celebrity performances and panel discussions, including by vice president Starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus on Wednesday, August 21st.
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