At a rally in Atlanta on Monday night, former President Donald Trump launched a pointed attack on former First Lady Michelle Obama, warning her that she had made a "big mistake" by being "nasty" towards him. The remarks came just over a week before Election Day, as tensions continue to rise between the two major campaigns.
Speaking to a crowd of supporters at the Georgia Institute of Technology, Trump appeared gleeful and ironical as he responded to recent criticism from Michelle Obama, who had lambasted the former president during a rally in Michigan. Trump's comments sparked cheers and shouts from the audience, with some supporters even chanting "Lock her up!"-a familiar refrain from Trump's past rallies.
"You know who was nasty to me? Michelle Obama," Trump said. "I always tried to be so nice and respectful," he continued, despite his years of falsely claiming that her husband, former President Barack Obama, was not born in the United States. "Oooooh! She opened up a little bit of a box. She opened up a little bit of something," Trump said. "She was nasty, whooo. Shouldn't be that way. That was a big mistake she made."
Trump's comments were in direct response to Michelle Obama's speech in Michigan over the weekend, where she delivered a scathing critique of the former president, accusing him of "gross incompetence," "erratic behavior," and "obvious mental decline." The former first lady did not hold back, referencing Trump's conviction in Manhattan over the hush-money scandal and his past as a landlord accused of unethical practices. She also brought up his legal battles, including a defamation trial related to sexual assault allegations.
"I hope you'll forgive me if I'm a little frustrated that some of us are choosing to ignore Donald Trump's gross incompetence, while asking Kamala to dazzle us at every turn," Obama said, referring to Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump's opponent in the presidential race. "I hope that you'll forgive me if I'm a little angry that we are indifferent to his erratic behavior, his obvious mental decline, his history as a convicted felon, a known slum lord, a predator found liable for sexual abuse."
Obama's comments drew attention not just for their content but also for the sharp contrast between her measured public persona and the fierceness of her rebuke. Trump, however, focused on her tone rather than addressing the substance of her accusations, calling her remarks "nasty" and a "big mistake."
The escalating war of words between Trump and Michelle Obama is reflective of the increasingly personal tone that has characterized the closing stages of the 2024 election. With the race appearing to be a dead heat, both sides have ramped up their rhetoric. Trump, in particular, has frequently used inflammatory language, often targeting his opponents with personal attacks, a tactic that has both rallied his base and drawn significant criticism.
The former president's response to Michelle Obama's criticism has drawn attention across social media. Democrats were quick to accuse Trump of issuing veiled threats. "Is that a threat?" asked Republicans Against Trump, a conservative group opposed to Trump's candidacy, in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter).
The Harris campaign shared footage of Trump's comments, labeling it an "unhinged rant" and warning that Trump appeared to be "seeking retribution."
"He has nothing else to offer the American people, only hate and divisiveness." Eric Okafor said on X.
Meanwhile, Trump's rally also featured some of his more familiar campaign themes, including his promises to restore economic prosperity and secure the nation's borders. "With your support on November 5, we will achieve success that no one can imagine," he said, vowing to lead the U.S. to the "strongest economy" and "the most powerful military."
This clash comes as polls show the race tightening in key battleground states, with Harris holding a slight edge in most national surveys. Trump has spent the final days of the campaign traveling across the country, aiming to energize his base, while Harris has focused on building a broad coalition that includes former Trump administration officials and disaffected Republicans.
