During a rally at the Charlotte Convention Center in North Carolina, former President Barack Obama criticized MAGA-aligned candidates, labeling them as “crazy.” The event was in support of Vice President Kamala Harris, who is running for president in the upcoming November election.
Obama took particular aim at North Carolina’s Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson and Michele Morrow, the GOP nominee for state superintendent, mocking their controversial statements. “Apparently, the Republican candidate’s been spreading conspiracy theories and thinks I should face a firing squad,” he noted, referring to Morrow’s social media posts about executing officials like Governor Roy Cooper and President Biden. “We can’t have someone saying ridiculous things running our school system,” he added.
He didn’t hold back when discussing Robinson, who once called himself a “Black Nazi” and made troubling remarks regarding slavery. “He makes Trump look almost normal,” Obama said, emphasizing that no one in the audience needed a CNN report to recognize Robinson’s unfitness for governor. Robinson has denied the accusations and is suing CNN.
Additionally, Obama echoed previous remarks about Trump, describing his speeches as “word salads” and expressing concern over Trump’s mental fitness. He recalled incidents where Trump avoided questions during public appearances. “If your grandpa acted like this, you’d be worried,” Obama stated, highlighting an alarming lack of accountability in Trump’s behavior.
Obama also condemned Trump for disrespectful comments about military veterans and citizens, insisting that someone who displays such behavior should not be excused. He described Trump as dangerous, citing a recent interview where Trump’s former chief of staff, John Kelly, revealed troubling statements made by Trump regarding Hitler.
In the context of this heated political landscape, Obama’s push in North Carolina is significant, especially with the state being a vital battleground with 16 electoral votes. Current polling shows Trump slightly ahead, and early voting data indicates Democrats are trailing by a narrow margin.
Historically, Obama is the last Democratic president to secure North Carolina’s electoral votes, an achievement he shares with Jimmy Carter since 1976. His campaign efforts include appearances in other key states alongside major artists like Eminem and Bruce Springsteen, underscoring the importance of this election.