During her speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, former First Lady Michelle Obama drew significant applause as she declared, “Hope is making a comeback!” Reflecting on a sense of loss over diminished optimism, she expressed personal grief over her mother’s passing in May at the age of 86.
Michelle Obama emphasized the qualifications of Vice President Kamala Harris, stating, “She is more than ready for this moment,” and praised her as one of the most dignified individuals to pursue the presidency, representing a legacy of strength from their mothers.
In some of her most pointed criticism of former President Donald Trump, Obama addressed his promotion of birtherism and racist comments. She noted that the Obamas faced unfounded allegations regarding former President Barack Obama’s birth certificate, a narrative that persisted throughout his time in office. Michelle warned that similar attacks could be expected against Harris, saying, “Unfortunately, we know what comes next.”
She criticized Trump’s worldview, suggesting it was shaped by a fear of the accomplished, educated Black couple that the Obamas represented, stating, “His limited and narrow view of the world made him feel threatened.”
In a moment that elicited laughter and cheers, she referenced Trump’s controversial claim from a previous debate, joking, “Who’s going to tell him that the job he’s currently seeking might just be one of those ‘Black jobs’?” This alluded to Trump’s comment that immigrants were taking “Black jobs,” which has been widely condemned and ridiculed.