The Obamas came and dropped the mic… twice last night. Former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama took center stage at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago on Tuesday night, delivering impassioned speeches endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for president.
Their remarks, both hopeful and cautionary, emphasized the high stakes of the upcoming election as the Democratic Party unites to prevent a second term for former President Donald Trump.
Barack Obama, greeted by a hero’s welcome, told the crowd that he’s “fired up” and “hopeful” as he underscored the readiness of the nation to elect Harris, who would be the first female president and the first of Jamaican and Indian heritage. He did not shy away from criticizing Trump, describing him as “a 78-year-old billionaire who hasn’t stopped whining about his problems since he rode down his golden escalator nine years ago.”
“It’s been a constant stream of gripes and grievances that’s actually gotten worse now that he’s afraid of losing to Kamala,” Obama said, firing up the crowd inside Chicago’s United Center. Watch his full speech below:
Michelle Obama, in her speech, drew sharp contrasts between Harris and Trump, emphasizing Harris’ values, empathy, and commitment to the truth. She also pointedly criticized Trump, stating, “His limited and narrow view of the world made him feel threatened by the existence of two hardworking, highly educated, successful people who also happened to be Black.”
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The Obamas’ speeches, delivered on the second night of the four-day convention, were part of a broader effort to galvanize Democratic voters and build a coalition diverse enough to defeat Trump. The evening’s theme, “A Bold Vision for America’s Future,” reflected the party’s focus on unity, diversity, and the urgent need to move the country forward.
The urgency of the moment was clear as Harris addressed an estimated 15,000 people in battleground Wisconsin, echoing the themes of hope and resilience that have been central to the Democratic campaign. “Together we will chart a new way forward,” she told the crowd, her speech partially broadcast to the DNC. “A future for freedom, opportunity, of optimism and faith.”
Throughout the evening, speakers highlighted Harris’ qualifications and character, sharing personal stories that aimed to humanize the vice president, who remains relatively unknown to some voters. Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff spoke warmly of their relationship, telling the crowd, “You know that laugh. I love that laugh!” A DJ even turned the symbolic roll call into a party, playing state-specific songs, with Lil Jon making a surprise appearance during Georgia’s turn.
While the mood inside the convention was upbeat, the Obamas did not shy away from the challenges ahead. Michelle Obama’s speech took a more combative tone than her 2016 convention address, which famously advised, “When they go low, we go high.” This time, she tore into Trump’s record, characterizing his attacks as “ugly, misogynistic, racist lies” that serve as a substitute for real solutions.
The former president, reflecting on his first appearance at a national convention 20 years ago, praised President Joe Biden for his leadership and his decision to endorse Harris after ending his own reelection bid. “History will remember Joe Biden as a president who defended democracy at a moment of great danger,” Obama said as the crowd chanted, “Thank you, Joe.”
As the DNC continues, Harris and her allies are focused on galvanizing voters in the final stretch of the campaign, emphasizing the high stakes of the 2024 election. Harris, in her speech, cast the choice as a battle for the soul of the nation, warning against complacency in the face of Trump’s continued influence and his promises to assert greater control over federal prosecutions.
In a rallying cry to Democrats and the nation, Harris declared, “Someone with that record should never again have the opportunity to stand behind the seal of the president of the United States. Never again.”
There are 76 days until Election Day. For more DNC coverage, click here.
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