Former President Barack Obama took aim at Donald Trump’s recent behavior while speaking at a Harris rally in Tucson, Arizona on Friday night, October 18, 2024. Obama mocked Trump’s decision to abruptly stop taking questions at a town hall event in favor of dancing to music.
Speaking to approximately 7,000 supporters, Obama campaigned for Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. Senate candidate Ruben Gallego. The Tucson event was part of Obama’s six-day, five-state campaign swing, highlighting the importance Democrats place on his ability to energize voters in crucial battleground states as the election approaches.
Obama questioned former President Trump’s mental competence and criticized his rhetoric on several issues, zeroing in on Trump’s unusual town hall appearance in Oaks, Pennsylvania, earlier that week. Trump cut short the question-and-answer portion at the event after two attendees required medical attention. Instead of continuing with questions, Trump opted to play songs from his rally playlist for nearly 40 minutes while he and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem stood on stage listening and occasionally dancing.
“You would be worried if your grandpa was acting like this,” Obama quipped, suggesting that if a family member exhibited similar behavior, it would be cause for concern. He contrasted Trump’s actions with his town hall experiences, noting, “The purpose of these events is typically to engage with voters and answer their questions directly. If I had done something similar during my time in office, at least the playlist would have been better.”
Beyond the town hall incident, Obama took issue with some of Trump’s recent statements, including the former president’s claim to be the “father of IVF” (in-vitro fertilization) and his characterization of the January 6th Capitol riot as a “day of love.” Obama criticized Trump’s speaking style by describing his lengthy speeches as “word salads,” implying they are incoherent, disorganized, and lack clear meaning.
The criticism of Trump’s mental acuity echoes recent statements by Vice President Harris’s campaign, which has questioned the former president’s stability and fitness for office. Democrats have increasingly focused on Trump’s lengthy, often rambling speeches as evidence of potential cognitive decline.
In response to Obama’s remarks, a spokesperson for the Trump campaign stated, “President Trump’s energy and dedication to the American people speak for themselves. We’re focused on the issues that matter to voters, not on political theater.”
Obama’s appearance in Tucson was part of a broader push by Democrats to shore up support in Arizona, a key battleground state where recent polls show a tight race between Harris and Trump. Obama used his speech to highlight Harris’s policy proposals, including plans for middle-class tax cuts and assistance for home buyers.
“Vice President Harris has a clear vision for moving our country forward,” Obama said. “Her policies are designed to help working families and build an economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthy few.”
In addition to criticizing Trump, Obama addressed several key issues on the ballot in Arizona, including abortion rights. He urged voters to support a state ballot measure that would preserve access to abortion, framing the decision as one that women rather than politicians should make.
Obama also made a specific appeal to young and middle-aged Latino men, who have shown some support for Trump in recent polls. “I urge you to look beyond the rhetoric and consider the real-world impact of these candidates’ policies on your lives and your communities,” he said.
Throughout his speech, Obama struck a balance between sharp criticism of Trump and a positive message about the future under Democratic leadership. He portrayed the upcoming election as a choice between moving the country forward with Harris or regressing to divisive policies under Trump.
As the campaign enters its final days, both parties are intensifying their efforts in Arizona and other key states. The Harris campaign announced that the Vice President would return to Arizona for events focused on economic policy and voter outreach.