Barack Obama was criticized by black men after attacking those who would not vote for Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming election.
The former president spoke directly to black men as he began his multi-state campaign tour in Pittsburg. He attributed the lack of energy in the community for this presidential race because of Harris' gender decision.
This sparked intense backlash on social media – with some saying Obama had no right to tell black men what to do, and questioning why he was only attacking this demographic.
On the latest episode of Megyn Kelly's Obama podcast, the host featured a compilation of black men reacting to Obama's sarcastic comment.
Rob Smith, a Republican social media personality, said in a video posted Friday: “Barack Obama basically hazing him to try and lecture black men because apparently we're not excited enough to vote for Kamala Harris is crazy because where has this man been for the last four years?”
Barack Obama is being criticized by black men after attacking those who didn't vote for Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday
Rob Smith said on Friday: 'Barack Obama basically hazing him to try and lecture black men because apparently we're not excited enough to vote for Kamala Harris is crazy because where has this man been for the last four years?'
Former Georgia state representative Vernon Jones also spoke about Obama's message on Friday: 'As a black man, he did everything but address us. What he did, he scolded the black men, he scolded the black men. He even reprimanded black men.
The influencer then said that neither Harris nor Obama were raised like most black men and women in this country – alluding to their wealthy backgrounds.
He said Harris' campaign 'trotting' Obama was a sign that the vice president is 'roasted.'
Speaking about the ordeal, Megyn Kelly said: 'There are a lot of people in the country who are attracted to Trump right now, despite his problematic characteristics, because they think their lives will get better under him, they think the economy will be better under him. . he and they have four years of experience to inform that opinion.
“I wonder how they will react to being called sexist by Barack Obama.”
Former Georgia state representative Vernon Jones also spoke about Obama's message on Friday: “As a black man, he did everything but address us. What he did, he reprimanded black men, he reprimanded black men. He even reprimanded black men.
'Mainly because we're not going to fall in line and vote for the lady arresting a brother Kamala Harris because that's her record. As if black men are too stupid for us to not be able to vote in our best interests.
The former representative highlighted inflation, high interest rates and “open borders” that, according to him, symbolize the Biden-Harris presidential mandate.
Jones said Democrats are using Obama to “drag black men back to the plantations to vote Democrat.”
Jones said Democrat is using Obama to 'whip black men back to plantations to vote Democrat'
Media personalities called this a bad move for Harris' campaign, as it was not in line with her strategy of avoiding discussing gender and race.
Media personalities called it a bad move for Harris' campaign, as it was not in line with her strategy of avoiding discussing gender and race.
“If I am, and I am, interested in electing Kamala Harris, then I'm upset because he undermined the thing, the strategy that she was employing to win,” columnist Michael Harriot said during a NewsNight discussion with Abby Phillip.
The former president was at a campaign office in Pittsburgh on Thursday night to thank volunteers but instead lectured them, saying he wanted to “speak some truths.”
Obama said he was responding to reports alleging that there was less enthusiasm for Harris than for his own candidacy and that some black men were considering sitting out the election.
The former president was at a campaign office in Pittsburgh on Thursday night to thank volunteers, but instead gave them a lecture, saying he wanted to “speak some truths.”
Obama said he was responding to reports alleging that there was less enthusiasm for Harris than for his own candidacy and that some black men were considering sitting out the election.
'We still haven't seen the same types of energy and participation in every neighborhood and community that we saw when I was running. Now, I also want to say that this seems to be more pronounced with siblings,” Obama said.
He continued: 'Part of this makes me think – and I'm speaking directly to men – part of this makes me think that, well, you're just not feeling the idea of having a woman as president, and you're coming to find other alternatives and other reasons for this.'
'You're making up all kinds of reasons and excuses. I have a problem with that.
Media reports have suggested that black male voters are a weak point for Harris, after Joe Biden won 80 percent in 2020, down from Hillary Clinton's 82 percent in 2015.
It has been reported that a quarter of young black people support Trump who would further oust Harris.
