On Wednesday, Donald Trump announced he would no longer be courteous towards the Obamas after their speeches at the Democratic convention criticised his record, crowd sizes, and even his manhood. He labelled former First Lady Michelle Obama as “nasty” and accused the couple of launching personal attacks despite their calls for more policy discussions.
A day prior, Trump had expressed respect for the Obamas. However, during a rally in Asheboro, North Carolina, he declared, “I’m trying to be nice to these people,” before calling them “lousy presidents” and deeming the current presidency the worst.
Trump shifted his focus to Kamala Harris, who became his new opponent after Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race last month. He described Harris as a “radical Marxist person” who had caused destruction in her path. Trump used his rally to portray Harris as a threat to the nation, aiming to shape voters’ perceptions of the Democratic candidate.
The Obamas’ convention appearance revived their longstanding rivalry with Trump. The 44th president remains angered by Trump’s “birther” claim questioning his nationality. Michelle Obama has also been targeted by some Trump supporters through memes suggesting she is transgender. Trump distanced himself from such suggestions, stating, “I don’t know who would do that. I certainly wouldn’t say that.”
Michelle Obama criticised Trump’s narrow worldview, saying it made him feel threatened by successful black individuals like herself and her husband. She mockingly asked who would inform Trump that the job he seeks might be considered a “Black job.” Her husband highlighted Trump’s grievances, suggesting they had increased due to his fear of losing to Harris. Obama also mocked Trump’s obsession with crowd sizes.
Earlier on Tuesday, Trump had surprised critics by referring to Obama as a “nice gentleman” and expressed respect for both him and Michelle during an interview with CNN. However, by the time he took the stage at the North Carolina Aviation Museum, his tone had shifted. The event, promoted as focusing on national security, saw Trump using the enthusiastic crowd to launch attacks on his adversaries, starting with the Obamas.
Trump questioned the double standard of being advised to stick to policy while the Obamas made personal attacks, asking, “Do I still have to stick to policy?”
What Other Media Are Saying
- The Guardian reports Michelle Obama’s DNC speech, highlighting her powerful appeal to voters, emphasizing hope and unity, while also criticizing Donald Trump’s divisive tactics. (read more)
- Politico reports that former President Donald Trump attacked the Obamas in a speech, criticizing Michelle Obama’s DNC address and Barack Obama’s presidency, raising concerns about political divisions and partisan rhetoric. (read more)
- WANE: Donald Trump spoke from behind bulletproof glass at his first outdoor rally since the attempted assassination, emphasizing enhanced security measures. (read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Why did Trump say he’s giving up being nice to the Obamas?
They mocked his record, crowd sizes, and manhood at the Democratic convention.
What did Trump call Michelle Obama?
He called her ‘nasty’ after she criticized him.
Why did Trump attack Kamala Harris?
He described her as a ‘radical Marxist’ and a danger to the nation.
How did the Obamas criticize Trump at the convention?
Michelle and Barack Obama mocked his worldview, crowd sizes, and personal grievances.
Did Trump show respect for the Obamas earlier?
Yes, he said he had respect for them a day earlier.