Obama warns ‘brothers’ who won’t vote for Kamala that sexism could cost her election: ‘That’s not acceptable’

Barack Obama accused black male voters who refuse to support Kamala Harris of sexism and demanded they align with the Democratic candidate.

The former president was at a campaign office in Pittsburgh to thank volunteers but instead gave them a lecture and said he wanted to “speak some truths.”

Obama said he was responding to reports because there was less enthusiasm for Harris than for his own candidacy, and that some black men were considering sitting out the election.

“We haven’t seen the same kind of energy and turnout in all areas of our neighborhoods and communities that we saw when I was running. Now I would also say that this seems to be more pronounced among the brothers,” Obama said.

He continued, “Some of it makes me think – and I’m speaking directly to men – some of it makes me think that you just don’t like the idea of ​​having a woman as president, and you’re coming. with other alternatives and other reasons for doing so.’

‘You come up with all kinds of reasons and excuses. I have a problem with that.’

Media reports have suggested that black male voters are a weak spot for Harris, after Joe Biden won 80% in 2020, compared to 82% for Hillary Clinton in 2015.

That has been reported a quarter of young black men support Trumpwhich would further drop Harris.

The former president said the choice between Trump and Harris was “clear” and that Harris understands the struggle of black men and won the vice presidency from that struggle.

“On the one hand, you have someone who grew up like you, knows you, studied with you, understands the struggles, the pain and the joy that comes from those experiences,” he said of Harris.

He then claimed that Trump’s tendency to put people down was not a real strength.

“You think about calling out or supporting someone who has a history of belittling you because you think that’s a sign of strength because that’s what being a man is? Putting women down? That is not acceptable,” Obama said.

The Democratic former president made the state of Pennsylvania the first stop of his campaign trip, with less than four weeks until Election Day and as voting is already underway.

Polls prior to Obama’s appearance in Pittsburgh showed him as a more popular figure than Harris in Pennsylvania.

The ex-president is also more popular than Trump.

An Emerson College poll conducted in conjunction with The Hill found that 55 percent of Pennsylvanians have a positive view of Obama, compared to 48 percent for Harris and 50 percent for Trump.

Obama also received higher marks than the two presidential candidates in the key swing states of Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina, Wisconsin and Michigan – meaning he could be a useful vote anywhere in the battleground.

But Pennsylvania – nicknamed the Keystone State – will likely be key to Harris or Trump’s victory on November 5, as the path to 270 electoral votes becomes highly unlikely if either candidate loses it.

During a speech at the University of Pittsburgh, he portrayed Trump as out of touch and without the choice to change the country. He called him a “bumbling” billionaire “who hasn’t stopped whining about his problems since he rode down.” his golden escalator nine years ago.”

He also made a crude joke at President Donald Trump at his first solo campaign event for Kamala Harris, which backfired spectacularly.

During his speech at the University of Pittsburgh on Thursday evening, Obama hinted that he believed Trump, 78, was wearing adult diapers.

Obama, 63, recalled that he couldn’t believe how expensive diapers were as he got older. “Do you think Donald Trump has ever changed a diaper?” he mused.

“From himself!” an audience member shouted back.

“I almost said that, but I decided I shouldn’t say it,” Obama said, laughing.

Social media was not amused, with at least one X-user making a tongue-in-cheek reference to the president’s former running mate: “Obama would know about changing diapers.” He does that for Joe.”

Obama also sought to support Harris in areas where polls show her weak — including the economy and immigration.

The Democratic ex-president noted how Trump gets credit for a good economy during his term.

“Yeah, it was pretty good because it was my economy,” Obama boasted. “It wasn’t something he did.”

“I spent eight years cleaning up the mess the Republicans left me,” Obama added.

Obama took office in 2009, right after a financial crash caused by predatory lending to low-income housing borrowers.

Trump has made immigration his top issue in 2024, just as he did when he first ran for the White House eight years ago.

“When I hear Donald Trump talk, I have one question,” Obama said.

“If I remember correctly, Donald Trump was president for four years. And if you round up and deport millions of desperate people and build the beautiful wall – and it didn’t matter if some of those people you rounded up were women and children – if that’s the answer to everything, why haven’t you solved the problems? problem?’ the Democrat asked.

Obama then pointed out that the number of immigrants was “basically the same” at the beginning and end of Trump’s term.

‘I’ll tell you why. Because he had no real plan. He had topics of conversation. He had concepts for a plan,” Obama said.

“And the plan was mean and ugly and it was designed to reinforce his politics and make people angry, not solve the problem,” he continued.

Obama argued that what would have actually made the border secure was the bipartisan deal backed by Harris and President Joe Biden, thanks to Trump’s help in Congress.

The ex-president also drew attention to the recent hurricanes, noting that Asheville, North Carolina, “one of my favorite places in the country,” was “devastated” by Helene.

Afterwards, at a rally, Trump “just started making up stories,” Obama said, with the Republican falsely claiming that aid was being withheld from Republican areas and that FEMA funds were instead going to undocumented immigrants.

“I just made the stuff up. Everyone knew it wasn’t true. Even local Republicans said it wasn’t true,” Obama said.

‘The idea of ​​deliberately misleading people at their most desperate and vulnerable moments. And my question is: when did that become okay?’ the former president asked.

“I’m not looking for applause right now,” Obama told the crowd as they began clapping. “I want to ask Republicans right now… when did that become okay? Why should we go along with that?’

The 44th president also tailored his speech to the audience in Pittsburgh how much he loves Pamela’s pancakes – a crepe-like delicacy – the late Dan Rooney, Obama’s ambassador to Ireland and owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and how he cheered for that NFL franchise as a child.

The opening acts for Obama included a number of Pennsylvania Democrats, including the state’s popular Governor Josh Shapiro, a finalist to become Harris’ running mate.