Michelle Obama speaks at Democratic National Convention

True patriotism means fighting to make our nation better for each generation.

Tune in now for day two of the Democratic National Convention. https://t.co/OtZ2A8UJbG

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) August 21, 2024

Former President Barack Obama took the stage at the Democratic National Convention and used the opportunity to mock former President Donald Trump for his “weird obsession with crowd sizes.” Obama’s remarks highlighted one of the many peculiarities that characterized Trump’s presidency. During his speech, Obama touched on various issues but made a pointed comment about Trump’s repeated fixation on the number of people attending his rallies and events. This obsession was notably evident during Trump’s tenure, where he frequently boasted about the crowd sizes at his gatherings, regardless of the context or relevance to the discussion.

Together, we will fight for the promise of America’s future. Tune in now to watch the first night of the Democratic National Convention. https://t.co/FFbmGUzAOS

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) August 19, 2024

Obama’s comments received a mixed response, with his supporters finding humor in the jab, while Trump’s supporters likely perceived it as yet another attack from his political adversary. The Democratic National Convention served as a platform for party leaders to rally support and frame their arguments against the opposing side. Obama’s remarks about Trump’s crowd size fixation fit neatly into his broader critique of the Trump administration. Obama’s speech also contained a hidden message to Democrats. He argued against meeting the right’s hatred and anger in kind, saying it would be a mistake.

Tonight, I’m speaking at the @DemConvention about why @KamalaHarris and @Tim_Walz are the leaders our country needs right now. Tune in: https://t.co/Py5EMx43f5

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 21, 2024

“We start thinking that the only way to win is to scold and shame and out-yell the other side,” he said.

Obama’s jab at crowd sizes

“And after a while, regular folks just tune out or don’t bother to vote.” Obama noted that Democrats cannot win over voters by treating them as bigots if they don’t agree on everything. To make progress, he argued for giving grace to fellow citizens, just as we hope they will extend grace to us. This, he said, is how to build a true Democratic majority. Despite Trump’s divisiveness, Obama asserted that most Americans are decent and good. If appealed to empathetically and intelligently, he believes they will recognize their commonalities. He invoked memories of his 2004 speech: “Because the vast majority of us do not want to live in a country that’s bitter and divided. We want something better. We want to be better.” Obama made the case that Kamala Harris could restore the shaken hope and optimism of the American people. His speech aimed to rally Democrats while also cautioning against adopting the divisive tactics of their opponents.