Obama, Trump Fiercely Criticize... "Turned the US Presidency into a TV Show"

Obama's Endorsement Speech at Democratic Presidential Nominee Convention
Shift from Previous Restraint in Direct Criticism
"Democratic Institutions Face Crisis, 170,000 Lives Lost to COVID-19"

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Former U.S. President Barack Obama strongly criticized President Donald Trump at the Democratic Party presidential nominee nomination convention on the 19th (local time). Until now, he had refrained from directly criticizing his successor, President Trump, but this day was completely different.

Former U.S. President Barack Obama
[Photo by EPA Yonhap News]

On the 19th (local time), former President Obama delivered a virtual speech at the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, pointing out President Trump's failures and urging support for Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden.

He said, "I did not expect President Trump to carry on policies or visions, but I thought he would take the presidency seriously for America, but that was not the case," adding, "He is not interested in finding common ground, used power for himself and his friends rather than helping others, and turned the presidency into another reality show."

He also pointed to responsibility for the failure in handling the COVID-19 pandemic. Former President Obama stated, "(Due to COVID) 170,000 people lost their lives and millions lost their jobs," and "The reputation of the United States, once a source of pride worldwide, has disappeared, and democratic institutions are facing unprecedented crises."

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Former President Obama said, "I believe that no one, including candidate Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, is above the law," and added, "These are not Republican principles or Democratic principles. These are American principles, and this (Trump) president shows that he does not believe in these."

Former President Obama put special effort into this speech, revising the manuscript until just before delivering it. Originally, his keynote speech was planned to be the finale on the third day of the convention, but by his concession, Vice Presidential candidate Harris's acceptance speech took the final spot.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.