US2 min(s) read
Published 14:31 06 Oct 2020 GMT
Former First Lady, Michelle Obama, has issued a searing attack against Donald Trump in her virtual "closing argument" ahead of the presidential election, where she accused the 45th President of the United States of promoting "racist" policies.
In the 24-minute video, which was posted to her social media accounts today (6 October), Obama urged citizens to vote for Joe Biden as the United States has descended into "chaos" as Trump is not "up for the job".
She captioned the tweet by referencing the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, writing: "My heart goes out to everyone touched by this virus, from those at the White House, especially the Secret Service and residence staff whose service ought never be taken for granted, to all those names and stories most of us will unfortunately never know."
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"There’s only one way we can pull ourselves out—by voting for my friend @JoeBiden, who’s got the heart, the experience, and the character to lead us to better days," she added."Search your hearts, and your conscience, and then vote for Joe Biden like your lives depend on it."
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Obama said that Trump has continuously downplayed the importance of wearing masks and social distancing, saying that he was "knowingly exposing his own supporters to a dangerous virus," by holding "massive" campaign rallies in the lead up to the election.
"Seven months later, he still doesn’t have a plan for this virus. Seven months later, he still won’t wear a mask consistently and encourage others to do the same — even when those simple actions could save countless lives. Instead, he continues to gaslight the American people by acting like this pandemic is not a real threat."
The 56-year-old then spoke about the slew of protests that have spread across the country in the wake of George Floyd's death, and the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement.
"The president and his allies are trying to tap into that frustration and distract from his failures … they are stoking up fears … they are pinning it all on what’s been an overall peaceful demonstration," she said, before addressing Trump's claims that suburban households were at greater risk because of the protests, as well as racial housing policies.
Obama stated that this tactic encouraged fear and division, and was ultimately "racist" because it was "stoking fears about black and brown Americans."
"What the president is doing is, once again, patently false, it’s morally wrong, and yes, it’s racist. But doesn’t mean it won’t work. Because this is a difficult time, a confusing time," she asserted.
Obama then proceeded to ask white Americans to put themselves in the "shoes" of black Americans who have experienced systemic racism;
"Put yourselves in our shoes for just a moment. Imagine what it feels to wake up every day to uphold the values this country claims to be true … only for those efforts to be scorned. Not just by citizens, but by a sitting president."
"He boasts about gains in the stock market, but when you look at the lives of regular folks, whether it’s creating blue-collar jobs ... making health care more affordable ... protecting the environment ... keeping our families safe from gun violence — let alone the coronavirus — there’s nothing much to brag about," the American attorney continued.
"Joe Biden has lived his life guided by values and principles that mirror ones that most Americans can recognize. I know Joe ... he’s a good man who understands the struggles of everyday folks."
