Over 6 Million People Watched This Clip Of Barack Obama Calling Out Conservatives Who “Excuse” Donald Trump’s False Claims
Former president Barack Obama spoke at a rally for Kamala Harris yesterday, where he called out Donald Trump and his defenders in a blunt speech.
During his speech, Obama criticized Trump for making false claims about the Biden administration’s hurricane relief efforts, seemingly alluding to the 78-year-old’s lie that federal relief funds are being shifted away from Republican communities in the wake of both Hurricane Helene and Milton’s devastation of Florida, and improperly spent on migrants.
Obama said: “Even local Republicans said it was not true, and now the people of Florida are dealing with another devastating storm. And I want you to watch what happens over the next few day. Just like the last time, you’re going to have leaders who try to help, and then there’s — you have a guy who will just lie about it to score political points and this has consequences.”
“People are afraid and they’ve lost everything and now they’re trying to figure out ‘How do I apply for help,’ and some of them may be discouraged from getting the help they need,” he said.
Biden, of course, pushed back at claims that his administration is keeping money from Republican communities, and even Marc Lotter, Trump’s former 2020 White House campaign spokesperson and a continuing supporter, admitted that Republican communities in Florida are receiving federal aid — though he said Republicans “feeling” like they haven’t “gotten enough support or help” is what truly matters.
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Continuing his speech, Obama added, “The idea of intentionally trying to deceive people in their most desperate and vulnerable moments — and my question is, when did that become OK?”
The crowd began cheering in reaction, but he quickly intercepted, saying, “I’m not looking for applause right now.”
“I want to ask Republicans out there. People who are conservative… When did that become OK? Why would we go along with that?” he asked.
“If your co-workers acted like that, they wouldn’t be your co-workers very long. If you’re in business and somebody you’re doing business with just outright lies and manipulates, you stop doing business with them,” he continued.
“Even if you had a family member who acted like that, you might still love them, but you tell them, ‘You’ve got a problem.’ And you wouldn’t put them in charge of anything.”
The impassioned speech resonated online, amassing over 6.4 million views on Twitter from a single shared clip. On one hand, there are conservative commenters who say Obama’s speech shows cracks of “desperation” and “fear” as we near the 2024 election. However, more overwhelming are those who agree with his conviction.
“When DJT does the unacceptable, there are his apologists making excuses for it,” one Twitter user agreed. “That’s the frustration Americans have felt for almost 9 years now, and it’s sickening.”
The last 20 seconds of this. When DJT does the unacceptable, there are his apologists making excuses for it. That’s the frustration Americans have felt for almost 9 years now, and it’s sickening.
— Itachi Uchiha 🥀 (@danny_itachi) October 11, 2024
“I feel like people take Trump being president again as a joke, and it’s literally the worst thing that could ever happen,” another agreed. “Trump inherited a booming economy and did more damage.”
He is pissed like everyone should be I feel like ppl take Trump being president again as a joke and it’s literally the worst thing that could ever happen. Trump inherited a booming economy and did more damage in 4yrs of his presidency than bush did in 8
— Bobby (@BobbyKingDeal) October 11, 2024
Besides expressing similar sentiments, those who watched Obama’s speech also responded to the passion in his voice. “He isn’t speaking as a President anymore,” this person said. “He speaking as a citizen of the United States who knows what another Trump term would mean.”
Because he isn’t speaking as a President anymore. He speaking as a citizen of the United States who knows what another Trump term would mean and is just as scared and just as angry about the possibility of it happening as we all are.
— Ryan (@ARandomRyan_) October 11, 2024
“I hear it to,” someone co-signed. “He sounds sad and frustrated in a very earnest and pained sort of way… The performance is gone and he’s just trying to get people to listen.”
I hear it too. He sounds sad and frustrated in a very earnest and pained sort of way. He’s more raw here – almost vulnerable.
The performance is gone and he’s just trying to get people to listen.
— John Wood Jr. (@JohnRWoodJr) October 11, 2024
What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.
To donate to Hurricane Milton relief efforts, visit Florida’s official private fund, the Florida Disaster Fund, here.
