Michelle Obama Roasts Donald Trump’s ‘Black Jobs’ Remark: ‘The Job He’s Currently Seeking Might Just Be One’

Mar. 15, 2025

Former first ladyMichelle Obamatook a jab at former PresidentDonald Trumpduring the 2024Democratic National Convention.

Obama, 60, made the pointed comment on the second night of the convention on Tuesday, Aug. 20.

“Now unfortunately we know what comes next. We know folks are going to do everything they can to distort [Kamala Harris’] truth,” she said after praising the Democratic presidential nominee’s leadership.

“I want to know," she added. “Who’s going to tell him that the job he’s currently seeking might be one of those ‘Black jobs’?”

Former first lady Michelle Obama took a jab at former President Donald Trump during her Aug. 20 DNC speech.David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty; James Devaney/GC Images

Former First Lady Michelle Obama, Former U.S. President Donald Trump

David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty; James Devaney/GC Images

Her comment, which drew thunderous applause in Chicago’s United Center, appeared to be in reference to Trump’s recent talking point thatimmigrants are “taking Black jobs,”which he first brought up during a June 27 debate against PresidentJoe Biden.

Obama’s jab was in direct contrast to her political approach at the 2016 DNC, where she refused to directly name Trump and instead said, “our motto is: when they go low, we go high,” while discussing the criticismHillary Clintonfaced from Republicans on the campaign trail.

Michelle Obama speaks at the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 20, 2024.Joe Raedle/Getty

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 20: Former first lady Michelle Obama speaks on stage during the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on August 20, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. Delegates, politicians, and Democratic Party supporters are gathering in Chicago, as current Vice President Kamala Harris is named her party’s presidential nominee. The DNC takes place from August 19-22.

Joe Raedle/Getty

Elsewhere in her 2024 DNC speech, Obama accused Trump of “going small,” and highlighted the differences between this year’s major-party candidates.

“[Harris] understands that most of us will never be afforded the grace of ‘failing forward,’ " she said.

“If we bankrupt a business, or choke in a crisis, we don’t get a second, third, or fourth chance,” she said, alluding to Trump’s business failures and generational wealth. “If things don’t go our way, we don’t have the luxury of whining or cheating others to get further ahead, no. We don’t get to change the rules so we always win. If we see a mountain in front of us, we don’t expect tosee an escalatorwaiting to get us to the top.”

“It couldn’t be more obvious: Of the two major candidates in this race, only Kamala Harris truly understands the unseen labor and unwavering commitment that has always made America great,” she added.

Barack and Michelle Obama hug on the Democratic National Convention stage on Aug. 20, 2024.Hannah Beier/getty

Former US President Barack Obama, left, embraces former US First Lady Michelle Obama during the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, US, on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. The Democratic National Convention this week marks the ceremonial crowning of Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as the party’s presidential nominees, capping off a whirlwind month for Democrats who quickly coalesced behind the new ticket after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race in July.

Hannah Beier/getty

Obama and her husband, former PresidentBarack Obama, endorsed Harris after Biden announced that he wasdropping out of the presidential raceand supporting the vice president to take his place on the Democratic ticket.

“We agree with President Biden — choosing Kamala was one of the best decisions he’s made. She has the resume to prove it,” the Obamas said in a statement. “But Kamala has more than a resume. She has the vision, the character, and the strength that this critical moment demands.”

“There is no doubt in our mind that Kamala Harris has exactly what it takes to win this election and deliver for the American people. At a time when the stakes have never been higher, she gives us all reason to hope,” they added.

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source: people.com