Former US President Barack Obama (2009-2017) mocked his successor, Donald Trump, this Thursday at a rally in which he even compared his long speeches with those of the late Cuban leader Fidel Castro and, in a more serious tone, accused of “dividing” the United States.
Obama, who remains one of the most popular figures in the Democratic Party, was received with a thunderous ovation on a packed university campus in Pittsburgh, in the crucial state of Pennsylvania, decisive territory for Vice President Kamala Harris to defeat Trump in the elections. on November 5.
With irony and with laughter, the former president described Trump as a 78-year-old narcissistic and boastful billionaire, who has not stopped “complaining about his problems” since he announced his candidacy for the White House in June 2015.
«With Trump, what we have are messages in X, all in capital letters, diatribes and rantings about crazy conspiracy theories, endless speeches, a salad of words…. “It’s like Fidel Castro, talking non-stop.”, Obama stated, drawing a loud applause from those in attendance.
The former president also mocked Trump’s business side, who “constantly” tries to sell items to his followers, from gold sneakers and a $100,000 watch to a “Trump Bible.”
Trump and the politics of division
Obama alternated verbal attacks with calls for electoral mobilization, urging the public to “don’t boo, vote”, his already legendary motto of the 2016 and 2020 campaigns. In the most serious moments of his intervention, he accused the former president of sowing the division with the sole purpose of prevailing at the polls.
“Donald Trump wants us to believe that this country is hopelessly divided between us and them, between the so-called ‘real Americans’ who support him and those who do not. “He is convinced that keeping people divided and angry increases his electoral chances, regardless of who gets hurt,” Obama attacked.
The former president established a marked contrast between Trump and Harris, praising the vice president’s middle-class origins and her career defending citizens as a prosecutor, in addition to her values, ensuring that “she is as qualified for the position as any other presidential candidate.” Presidency in history.
«We do not need another four years of arrogance, incompetence, bravado and division. The United States is ready to turn the page. We are ready for a better story, one that allows us to work together instead of against each other. “Pennsylvania, we are ready for President Kamala Harris!” he proclaimed.
The male vote, key in the race
Obama dedicated a crucial segment of his speech to appealing to the male electorate, where polls reveal an advantage for Trump, especially among young people from Generation Z, Hispanics and African Americans, groups where the Republican has managed to erode the traditional Democratic hegemony.
“Some men seem to interpret Trump’s aggressive and dismissive behavior as a sign of strength, and I’m here to tell you that has never been a strength,” he said.
«True strength lies in working hard, in assuming responsibilities without complaining, in telling the truth even if it is uncomfortable. True strength lies in helping those in need and advocating for those who cannot do so for themselves. That is what we should long for for our sons and daughters, and that is what I want to see in a president of the United States,” he stressed.
Obama has been a firm supporter of Harris since she won the Democratic nomination, after US President Joe Biden ended his campaign at the end of July, under pressure from his own party after a disastrous performance in a debate. television in front of Trump.
The former president and former first lady Michelle already gave impassioned speeches endorsing Harris at the Democratic National Convention in August.
Today’s rally inaugurates a series of events that the former president will star in the coming weeks to mobilize the electorate. Michelle Obama, who enjoys equal or greater popularity than her husband, is also expected to participate in campaign events for Harris.
The relationship between Harris and Obama dates back 20 years, when she served as district attorney in San Francisco and helped organize a fundraiser for Obama’s then-Senate campaign.
The vice president was also one of the first to support Obama in his 2008 presidential race and participated as a volunteer in his campaign in Iowa. EFE
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