Former first lady Michelle Obama delivered a visceral speech focused on former President Donald Trump at the DNC on Tuesday.
Obama took the stage on the second night of the DNC in Chicago to support Harris, who became the Democratic nominee after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race in July.
During her speech, the former first lady remarked that “hope is making a comeback” as Harris becomes the nomination but warned Democrats about the stakes of the race, with less than four months until Election Day.
“Let us not forget the despair we have felt. Let us not forget what we are up against. Yes Kamala and Tim are doing great now…but remember there are still so many people who are desperate for a different outcome, who are ready to question and criticize every move Kamala makes, who are eager to spread those lies who don’t want to vote for a woman,” she said.
She told Democrats it is important to remember to not just “sit around and complain,” but “do something,” referencing a quote Harris’ late mother once told her.
“If they lie about her, and they will, we’ve got to do something. If we see a bad poll, and we will, we’ve got to put down that phone and do something. If we start feeling tired, if we start feeling that dread creeping back in, we’ve got to pick ourselves on, throw water on our face and what? Do something,” she said, leading the crowd in a chant.
Michelle Obama is frequently named as a potential presidential candidate, but she has repeatedly expressed that she has no interest in entering politics. As President Biden faced calls to exit the race following a poor debate performance in June, she was named as a possible contender to replace Biden at the top of the ticket, as polls have found her to be among the most popular political figures in the country.
Some polls suggested she may have been a strong candidate against Trump had she chosen to run.
Her speech followed a reported rift with the Biden family. In June, Axios published a report that Michelle Obama had become frustrated with the Bidens amid her friend Kathleen Buhle’s divorce from Biden’s son, Hunter Biden.
The report cited anonymous sources familiar with the matter and detailed how Michelle Obama expressed frustrations over the divorce and has appeared to be absent from Joe Biden’s reelection campaign.
A spokesperson for Michelle Obama, however, responded to the reports, telling Axios that “she is friends with Kathleen and with the Bidens. Two things can be true” and that the former first lady supported Biden’s reelection.
The report was also dismissed by White House spokesperson Andrew Bates, who said that “whomever made these claims about that relationship isn’t familiar with it.”
During the 2016 DNC, Michelle Obama went viral with her speech in support of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee who eventually lost to Trump.
“We urge them to ignore those who question their father’s citizenship or faith. How we explain that when someone is cruel or acts like a bully, you don’t stoop to their level. Our moto is ‘When they go low, we go high,'” she said then
The Obamas endorsed Harris in July, soon after Biden dropped out and Harris announced her candidacy — though notably later than other party elders.
“I’m so proud of my girl, Kamala. Barack and I are so excited to endorse her as the Democratic nominee because of her positivity, sense of humor, and ability to bring light and hope to people all across the country. We’ve got your back,” Michelle Obama wrote on social media.
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