Special Poll
Former President Donald Trump took aim at critics who advised him to avoid personal attacks, responding directly to comments made by former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama during the Democratic convention. Below are the key points from Trump’s remarks:
- Response to Obama and Michelle Obama:
- Trump mocked the Obamas’ speeches, stating, “Did you see Barack Hussein Obama last night? He was taking shots at your president. And so was Michelle.”
- He questioned the advice he received to “stick to policy” when the Obamas were, in his view, making personal attacks: “Do I still have to stick to policy?”
- Mocking His Allies’ Advice:
- Trump humorously imitated those advising him against personal insults, saying, “Sir, you must stick to policy. You’ll win it on the border. You’ll win it with inflation. You’ll win it with your great military that you built.”
- Longstanding Rivalry with the Obamas:
- The political and personal animosity between Trump and the Obamas has a long history, including Trump’s promotion of the false conspiracy theory that Barack Obama was not born in the United States.
- The rivalry was further inflamed by Trump’s victory over Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election, despite Obama’s support for Clinton.
- Democratic National Convention Criticisms:
- During the convention, Michelle Obama criticized Trump, accusing him of instilling fear in Americans and being disconnected from the struggles of ordinary people. She described Trump as someone who “doesn’t understand hard work” and is threatened by successful Black individuals.
- Barack Obama compared Trump to an annoying neighbor with a leaf blower and accused him of being self-serving. He mocked Trump for his constant complaints and his “weird obsession with crowd sizes.”
- Pressure from Fellow Republicans:
- Trump has faced criticism from some Republicans who believe he should focus more on policy issues rather than engaging in personal attacks against Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee.
- The polling gap between Trump and President Joe Biden, which had favored Trump when Biden was still the presumed nominee, has narrowed since Harris joined the ticket.
These points capture Trump’s response to the Obamas’ criticisms and his ongoing approach to campaign rhetoric.