POLITICS
Did Barack Obama really make ‘that’ Donald Trump joke at the DNC when comparing crowd sizes?
The former president is known for his subtle comedic timing, and drew laughter and applause as he closed the second night of the 2024 Democratic National Convention.
An eventful second night of the 2024 Democratic National Convention (DNC) came to an close but there were enough clips from it to keep social media buzzing for a while. After a surprise appearance by Lil Jon and speeches from various party members, Tuesday’s events concluded with addresses from former president Barack Obama and his wife Michelle.
This year, the DNC is being held in Chicago, Illinois, and will run through Thursday, August 22. During the event, Kamala Harris and Tim Walz will officially accept the nominations for president and vice president, respectively.
Between 5,000 and 7,000 delegates and alternates are expected to attend over the four-day event, alongside a roster of notable speakers, including the Obamas, who lifted the arena roof on Tuesday.
Michelle attacks Trump, praises Harris
It was Michelle who took to the stage first and in her speech, the former First Lady emphasised that Harris’s accomplishments demonstrate her qualifications to be president.
“My girl, Kamala Harris, is more than ready for this moment. She is one of the most qualified people ever to run for the presidency and one of the most deserving,” she stated. “America, hope is making a comeback,” was another of the former FLOTUS’ lines, reflecting on the time her husband occupied the White House. The attacks on Republican nominee Donald Trump were fierce.
Barack Obama questions Trump’s “size” obsession
Former president Obama began his speech by paying tribute to current incumbent President Joe Biden.
“History will remember Joe Biden as a president who defended democracy at a moment of great danger. I am proud to call him my president, but even prouder to call him my friend,” Obama said. The crowd reacted with chants of “We love Joe.”
Obama then turned his attention to Trump, and he didn’t hold back.
“We do not need four more years of bluster and bumbling and chaos. We have seen that movie before, and we all know that the sequel is usually worse.”
At one point, with Trump in the crosshairs, the crowd began to boo, but Obama quickly turned to one of his greatest hits: “Don’t boo, vote.”
And, of course, there was some humour thrown in for the partisan crowd who lapped it up.
“It’s been a steady stream of complaints and grievances that’s actually gotten worse now that he’s scared of losing to Kamala,” Obama said. “There are the childish nicknames, the crazy conspiracy theories, this weird obsession with crowd sizes. It just keeps going on and on.”
That last line about size was delivered with a subtle glint in the eye and hand gestures that many observers took to be a slight at previous rumours of Trump’s manhood not necessarily matching up to that of his enormous ego. Take a look for yourself.
Obama clearly spent much of the speech expressing his support for Harris.
“America is ready for a new chapter. America is ready for a better story. We are ready for a President Kamala Harris.”
Obama also called for a politics of mutual respect, noting that the country has become too polarised, and concluded by quoting President Lincoln, calling for the restoration of “our bonds of affection.”
Harris has clear Obama endorsement
The Obamas endorsed Kamala Harris’s candidacy at the end of July. The Obama couple took a few days to make their support public after Biden withdrew from the presidential race.
At the time the vice president’s campaign shared a video in which she received a call from the former White House dwellers.
“We’re calling to tell you that Michelle and I couldn’t be prouder to endorse you and do everything we can to help you win this election and get to the Oval Office,” Barack said over the phone. “I’m proud of you. This is going to be historic,” Michelle added.