At a campaign event for Democratic US presidential candidate Kamala Harris in the hotly contested state of Pennsylvania, former President Barack Obama sharply attacked Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. “What I can’t understand is why anyone thinks Donald Trump is going to change things in a way that’s good for you,” he said in Pittburgh of his presidential successor. “Because there is absolutely no sign that this man is thinking about anyone but himself.”
Donald Trump is a “78-year-old billionaire who won’t stop complaining about his problems,” said Obama. “There are the tweets in all caps, the ranting and ranting about crazy conspiracy theories.” There are two-hour speeches and “constant attempts to sell you something,” said the former president. “The reason he does this is because he only cares about his ego, his money and his status. He doesn’t think about you.”
Obama also recalled the storming of the Capitol after Trump was voted out, in which his Vice President Mike Pence was also targeted by Trump supporters after he did not stop the verification of the official election results. “If Trump doesn’t care if a mob attacks his own vice president, do you think he cares about you?” Pennsylvania, we don’t need another four years of this.”
The ex-president also believes that his most important legacy, the health care reform often referred to as “Obamacare,” is at risk. “When it comes to health care, Donald Trump has only one answer: repeal the Affordable Care Act, on which 45 million people depend,” Obama said.
“Now, eight years after his election, when asked what he plans to do, he says he has a ‘concept of a plan’ to replace him.” The Harris campaign drew a parallel to household tasks. When asked whether you have done the dishes, you can answer that you have “a plan” for how to do the dishes. “How will this be received? If it doesn’t work for you, why should it work for the President of the United States?”
Surveys currently show that the presidential election on November 5th could be extremely close. While there is greater support for Harris nationwide, the Electoral College system means the results in individual states like Pennsylvania can be decisive. There is currently no clear victory for Harris or Trump. In various mathematical models, the two applicants therefore have almost equal chances of moving into the White House.
dts news agency
Photo: Barack Obama (archive), via dts news agency
Analysis: Obama Takes Aim at Trump, Painting Him as Self-Centered and Divisive
In a fiery speech at a campaign event for Democratic US presidential candidate Kamala Harris in Pennsylvania, former President Barack Obama launched a scathing attack on Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. Obama’s criticism not only underlined the deep-seated animosity between the two but also provided a telling commentary on Trump’s leadership style and priorities [[1]].
According to Obama, Trump is singularly focused on himself, with no sign of considering the welfare of others. This assessment is consistent with Trump’s reputation for being a polarizing figure who has been accused of promoting divisive policies and rhetoric.
Obama’s salvo at Trump was not limited to policy. He also mocked Trump’s social media habits, highlighting the ”tweets in all caps, the ranting” as evidence of Trump’s shallow communication style [[3]]. This jibe, reminiscent of Trump’s infamous tweetstorms, resonates with many who have criticized the President for using Twitter as a platform for airing grievances rather than engaging in constructive dialogue.
Obama’s attacks on Trump come as little surprise given the marked differences in their leadership philosophies. While Obama was credited with promoting hope and change during his presidency (as seen in the Italian language eBook “Era Obama: Dalla speranza del cambiamento all’elezione di Trump”), Trump has been seen by many as a symptom of America’s growing polarization and disillusionment with established politics [[2]].
In his capacity as a renowned statesman and prominent Democratic leader, Obama’s endorsement of Kamala Harris carries significant weight. However, it remains to be seen how Trump supporters will respond to Obama’s criticisms, particularly given the widely acknowledged animosity between the two leaders.
Ultimately, Obama’s rhetorical assault on Trump exemplifies the deep divisions that characterize contemporary American politics, with each side seeking to cast the other as misguided or even mendacious. The reaction to Obama’s speech is set to further illuminate these fault lines in the days leading up to the election.
