Former President Barack Obama has sparked outrage after making a controversial and off-color joke about Donald Trump during a campaign event in Pittsburgh. The incident has ignited a firestorm on social media, with many accusing Obama of abandoning his wife Michelle’s famous mantra, “When they go low, we go high,” and stooping to a crude jab at his political rival.
The joke occurred during an event supporting Vice President Kamala Harris’s 2024 presidential campaign, as Obama has been brought in to shore up support for Harris, particularly among Black men, a demographic that Democrats believe may be less enthusiastic about her candidacy. While addressing a crowd at the University of Pittsburgh, Obama commented on Harris’s policy proposal to offer parents of newborns a $6,000 child tax credit. It was during this light-hearted moment that Obama took the opportunity to make the dig at Trump, sparking laughter from the audience but anger online.
Earlier in the day, Obama had visited a local Harris campaign office in Pittsburgh, where he addressed the concerns surrounding the lack of enthusiasm for Harris among Black men. Obama was blunt in his assessment, accusing some men in the demographic of harboring misogynistic views. “You’re coming up with all kinds of reasons and excuses,” he said. “Part of it makes me think that, well, you just aren’t feeling the idea of having a woman as president, and you’re coming up with other alternatives and other reasons for that.”
Obama didn’t hold back as he continued, expressing his frustration that many Black men weren’t rallying behind Harris, the first Black woman and South Asian woman to be on a major party’s presidential ticket. “Women in our lives have been getting our backs this entire time,” Obama said. “When we get in trouble, and the system isn’t working for us, they’re the ones out there marching and protesting.”
While his comments were intended to drum up support for Harris, they didn’t sit well with everyone. Some viewed Obama’s remarks as an unfair attack on Black men, suggesting that he was simplifying or dismissing their reasons for being hesitant about Harris’s candidacy.
But it was later in the evening at the University of Pittsburgh where Obama really ignited controversy. As he discussed Harris’s child tax credit proposal, he veered into personal territory, recalling his own experience with fatherhood. “I remember changing diapers,” Obama quipped, before adding, “Do you think Donald Trump ever changed a diaper?”
The crowd erupted in laughter, but things escalated when someone in the audience yelled, “His own!” In response to the remark, Obama, instead of discouraging the inappropriate comment, joined in on the joke. “I almost said that,” Obama replied, “but I decided I shouldn’t say it.”
The implication, of course, was that Trump, now 78, would need diapers himself. This crude jab at Trump’s age and health immediately triggered a backlash. Critics took to social media to express their anger, with many calling Obama’s comment classless and beneath the dignity of a former president.
Social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), were flooded with reactions to Obama’s joke, with many conservative figures expressing outrage. One user wrote, “Obama is proving that he’s just as low as the rest of them. He can’t resist taking shots at Trump, even if it means making disgusting comments.” Another remarked, “Remember when Michelle Obama said, ‘When they go low, we go high’? I guess Barack didn’t get the memo.”
Conservative news outlets like The Gateway Pundit seized on the moment, with articles decrying Obama’s comments as a sign of desperation from the Democratic Party. Some Trump supporters argued that this type of rhetoric further proves the establishment’s ongoing campaign to smear and vilify Trump, a narrative that Trump himself has frequently echoed in his speeches.
Obama, once known for his more measured and thoughtful rhetoric, seems to have taken a more aggressive approach as the 2024 election season heats up. His sharp criticism of Trump, coupled with his frustration over perceived misogyny among Black men regarding Harris, has signaled a shift in tone that is markedly different from his time in office.
For some, Obama’s remarks are a reflection of the growing polarization in American politics, where even former presidents are no longer immune to the temptation of making personal attacks. For others, it’s seen as a tactical move to energize a base that may be growing disillusioned with Harris’s candidacy.
The 2024 election is shaping up to be another high-stakes showdown, with Trump and Harris likely to be central figures in the race. Trump, despite facing legal challenges and controversies, remains a dominant force within the Republican Party, while Harris has struggled to gain the same level of enthusiasm that Obama once enjoyed from key voting blocs.
In this context, Obama’s efforts to rally support for Harris, particularly among Black men, are crucial. But his choice of words—both in his accusations of misogyny and his crude joke about Trump—could backfire if they alienate the very voters he’s trying to reach.
As the controversy surrounding his remarks continues to swirl, it remains to be seen whether Obama’s more aggressive tone will help or hurt Harris’s chances in 2024. One thing is certain: the political temperature in America is continuing to rise, and the battle for the White House is already proving to be as contentious as ever.
Obama: Or diapers. I remember buying diapers. Do you think Donald Trump ever changed a diaper?
Supporter: His own!
Obama: I almost said that, but I decided I should not say it. pic.twitter.com/iaUj89I2DD
— Acyn (@Acyn) October 10, 2024
Obama is evil!
— BYFIELD SHIRES (@ByfieldShires) October 11, 2024
What a jerk!
— Penelope (@ammieoo) October 11, 2024
What a piece of shit Obama now showing the depths of his nasty soul
— Tilda (@TildaC14) October 11, 2024
Piece of DEI shit! Elected only because of white guilt. And as such he brought nothing but misery to the country…
— neus P🍊🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@P2Neus) October 11, 2024
He election didn’t usher in a post racial period in America. He restarted the racial divide in this country to benefit himself.
— David A. Clarke, Jr. (@SheriffClarke) October 11, 2024
I cannot stand this arrogant traitor to our country! He and Soros plotted to destroy everything good about the USA. pic.twitter.com/q1zZMkyrS1
— Sherri (@SherriVermaat) October 11, 2024
He’s such a used car salesman! The only ‘change’ he made for this country was BAD!
— Michelle Aiden (@MichelleAiden) October 11, 2024
I always knew that Obama was a plain stupid demagogue. His speech was full of lies and hypocrisy. The secret of the demagogue is to make himself as stupid as his audience so that they believe they're as smart as he.
— Michael (@koro1994) October 11, 2024
13 Comments
The Kenyan Coon take your Worthless Ass back to Kenya you POS
Obama is a pompous ass .. get lost already , you did enough harm .. we are done with listening to you ..
POS
He should be on trial for treason since him and “Mikey “ lied about who and what they are to get in the White House with adopted children
More garbage from the BATH HOUSE BARRY, the great divider. He bashing black me for not believing the walking mattress Harris, and he himself did nothing in the eight years in office to help the black community but install more hate in the black race.
Obama is a true pos. He and his man-wife can rot in hell!
Big Mike has Obama’s back if you know what I mean.
Obama never changed a diaper.. How could he when he and Michael didn’t get the 2 ao called daughters until avter they stopped waring diapers. Has anyone seen pics. of he or Michael and their babies, NO.
MulattObma’s sexual preferences are still being debated. Will Michael chime on this topic???
Little jokes aside, Obama must still hang for treason.
That’s imperative; he’s one of the vilest and disgusting anti-truth anti-God corrupted souls on earth! His day and punishment is coming and nothing will change that Truth!
It stands to reason that POS Obama changed diapers, after all he was the woman of their relationship. Michael wore the strap on!
President Obama believes that black men mess up, and need black women to fix things. Also, seems Barry admits to changing his Vice President’s diapers for those eight years (or perhaps twelve years ?). I tend to believe George Obama.