Former President Barack Obama addressed a packed convention hall in Detroit, Michigan, on Tuesday evening, where he forcefully condemned the chaos and violence stirred by former President Donald Trump in the aftermath of the 2020 election. Obama’s remarks came as he made a passionate case for Michigan voters to mobilize in support of Vice President Kamala Harris.
Obama reflected on the disturbing events that unfolded in Detroit following the 2020 election, when Trump and his supporters sought to cast doubt on the state’s election results. He recalled how Trump’s lies about voter fraud led to protesters gathering outside the Detroit Counting Center, banging on windows, and shouting “Let us in, stop the count.” This intimidation tactic aimed to disrupt the counting process and undermine the democratic process.
The former President also referenced a recent filing from special counsel Jack Smith, which detailed a Trump campaign aide instructing someone to “make them riot” at the Detroit Counting Center. As Obama shared this information, some members of the crowd began to boo and jeer, prompting Obama to firmly respond, “Do not boo.” This interaction underscored Obama’s emphasis on channeling emotions into constructive action.
The Detroit rally marked Obama’s fifth campaign event in support of Vice President Kamala Harris, as well as his fifth visit to a battleground state. Obama and Harris are scheduled to make their first joint appearance on the campaign trail in Georgia on Thursday.
During his speech, Obama drew a stark contrast between his economic achievements and Trump’s claims. He reminded the audience of the major auto industry bailout he announced shortly after taking office, which helped revitalize the city’s struggling economy. Obama emphasized that he spent eight years addressing the mess left by Republicans and handed Trump “75 straight months of jobs growth” when he left office.
Obama criticized Trump for taking credit for “my economy” and noted that the economy was thriving due to his administration’s efforts. He stated, “I know folks in Detroit remember it. I spent eight years cleaning up the mess that the Republicans left me. Y’all remember the auto industry in America was flat on its back. They didn’t want to lift a finger to help, and we made the investments to reopen those factories and put people back to work.”
Obama also addressed Trump’s recent rally in the same convention center, observing that Trump’s audience was noticeably smaller. He quipped, “I heard there was another rally here on Friday night, but it was a little smaller than this one.”
The event featured a special introduction by Detroit native and renowned rapper Eminem, who delivered a blistering critique of Trump at the 2017 BET Hip Hop Awards. Although Eminem didn’t perform, Obama briefly rapped the opening lyrics to Eminem’s iconic song “Lose Yourself,” energizing the crowd.
Throughout his speech, Obama delivered a scathing critique of Trump, defending Vice President Harris and emphasizing her commitment to working-class Americans. He highlighted Harris’s humble beginnings, noting that she worked at McDonald’s during college to pay her expenses.
Obama directly appealed to men in the audience, redefining what constitutes strength. He emphasized that true strength lies in hard work, taking responsibility, and helping those in need, rather than Trump’s divisive rhetoric.
As Obama continues to campaign for Harris, his message of unity, economic progress, and democratic values resonates with voters in critical battleground states. With the election looming, Obama’s efforts aim to mobilize support for Harris and counter Trump’s influence.
