Michelle Obama ponders over who will convey to Trump that the presidency is essentially a 'role for individuals of African descent'.
Throughout her speech, the ex-first lady didn't hold back when discussing Donald Trump and the perceived danger he poses to the nation and democracy.
In her most open and public remarks yet, Obama touched upon the racism she and former President Obama faced during their eight years in the White House – incidents that were frequently instigated by Trump, the champion of the "birtherism" conspiracy theory.
"For years, Donald Trump did everything in his power to make people fear us," she stated. "His narrow, confined view of the world made him feel threatened by the existence of two ambitious, highly educated, successful individuals – who just so happen to be Black."
She then posed a question, "Who's going to inform him that the position he's currently pursuing might be one of those 'Black jobs'?"
Her reference to a controversial statement Trump made during a CNN presidential debate spurred applause from the thousands of attendees at the convention.
Later, Obama accused Trump of relying on the "same old trick," doubling down on hateful, misogynistic, racist lies as a substitute for genuine ideas and solutions that could improve people's lives.
Democratic strategist and CNN political commentator Keith Boykin perceived the audience feeling Obama's fervor – and at times, angst – as she spoke at the United Center.
"I took it as a reflection of the fact that Donald Trump has been persistently attacking Black people and Black women," Boykin said, referencing Trump's debunked assertion at the National Association of Black Journalists' gathering last month that Harris "happened to turn Black."
"The implication was clear: he promotes racism and division, and we're tired of it. He's like a schoolyard bully who never matured, and she's America's mom who's telling him, 'This act has passed its expiration date.'”
During her speech, Obama honored her late mother, Marian Robinson, and drew comparisons between the lessons both she and Harris learned from her mother's example.
Obama stated, "Both our mothers shared the same faith in this country's potential."
Without explicitly mentioning Trump's name, Obama drew parallels between Harris and the 45th president.
"She knows that most of us will be granted the leeway to make mistakes and recover from them. We will never gain advantage from the inheritance of inherited wealth," Obama said. "If we see a mountain ahead, we don't anticipate there to be an elevator waiting to lift us to the top."
As reactions to Obama's speech flooded social media, many pointed out her apparent shift away from the inspiring rhetoric she employed when she coined the phrase "When they go low, we go high" during the 2016 DNC.
Instead, eight years later, Obama presented a challenge to those Americans grappling with "anguish" and uncertainty surrounding the 2024 presidential election: "Act."
Latonya Reeves, a Minnesota delegate told CNN's Kaitlin Collins, she was inspired by Obama's speech and cheered so vigorously that she lost her voice.
"Our ancestors fought for us to be here. We can't afford to remain on the sidelines and neglect to vote."
The discussion of politics in her speech was not shy, as Obama criticized Donald Trump's divisive tactics and his perceived threats to the nation and democracy. The debunked assertion Trump made about Kamala Harris further highlighting his reliance on hateful, racist rhetoric showcases the politics of division he champions.
