A fired-up former President Barack Obama on Saturday took to task people who he said have “made excuses” for former President Donald Trump’s behavior, arguing that “everything a president says is serious.”
“When Donald Trump repeatedly lies or cheats or shows utter disregard for our Constitution, or just insults people, when he calls service members who died in battle ‘losers’ or fellow citizens ‘vermin’ or ‘the enemy within,’ people make excuses for it. They say, ‘Well, he’s not serious,’” Obama said while rallying for Vice President Kamala Harris in Las Vegas. “Everything a president says is serious; everything that somebody who’s aspiring to office is listened to.”
Obama said he’s noticed this “especially among some men who seem to think Trump’s behavior of bullying people or putting them down is somehow a macho sign of strength.”
“I’m telling you, that’s not what real strength is. Never has been,” the former president said, adding that “Real strength is about helping those who have less or need some help, standing up for those who can’t always stand up for themselves.”
Closing his remarks, Obama told the crowd, “So whether this election is making you feel excited or scared or hopeful or frustrated or anything in between, do not sit back and hope for the best. Get off your couch and vote. Put down your phone and vote.”
