Barack Obama
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Spike Lee defended former President Barack Obama’s comments on undecided Black male voters in an interview.
In an interview on MSNBC, celebrated filmmaker Spike Lee defended former President Barack Obama’s comments on Black male voters when it came to Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris. Ari Melber brought up male voters from different backgrounds who’ve expressed skepticism about her being in the White House and “breaking towards Trump” when Lee interjected.
“It’s sad but true, some of my brothers have been drinking that Kool-Aid and I just hope that they get their minds straight, get their minds right, in time for this election,” Lee said to Melber. “If they’re conscious, if they’re aware, there’s nothing that this other guy can do that’s going to put us — not just Black folks — but Americans, in a better position going forward.”
Spike Lee referenced Obama’s speech earlier this month in Pittsburgh when he stated that Black male voters weren’t supporting Harris’ presidential campaign, saying he’s “got a problem with that” and inferring that sexism was at play. “Part of it makes me think that, well, you just aren’t feeling the idea of having a woman as president,” he said in his speech. Obama’s remarks garnered him a huge wave of criticism – some from allies who feel he shouldn’t come down so hard on Black men who have traditionally voted strongly for Democrats in the past.
“I gotta give credit to President Obama because he’s been going really hard on the brothers — some might think too hard, but I don’t think so,” Lee said. “We gotta wake up and don’t go for the okie doke, the flim-flam — can’t do that. We gotta support our sister to be the first woman president of the United States of America and the first sister.” The interview took place shortly after the Brooklyn, New York, native received the National Medal of Arts from President Joe Biden at the White House Monday (Oct. 21), along with 38 other noted artists and personalities.
https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1848476876353724517
Check out the entire interview above.
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Barack Obama demonstrated several times that he is aligned with Hip-Hop culture in several aspects, and a recent appearance at a rally for Vice President Kamala Harris adds to that assessment. During the rally in Detroit, Mich., with Eminem bringing out the former president, Barack Obama rapped the opening bars of the Motor City rapper’s smash hit “Lose Yourself” to uproarious applause.
Barack Obama was in Detroit on Tuesday (October 22) to rally voters in support of Vice President Harris, with several thousand in attendance. Ahead of Obama taking the stage, native son Eminem took to the podium to bring the popular former president out in proper fashion.
With Obama taking his place, his typical charm was on display and elevated when he talked through the lines of “Lose Yourself” with the crowd backing him up which only seemed to energize the moment further.
From there, Obama launched into his talking points and took digs at Harris’ opponent, Donald Trump, including reports of his dwindling crowd sizes, attacks on legal immigrants in Ohio, and generally painting the Republican presidential hopeful as a man lacking the traits to lead the country to better pastures.
“Any election is about more than policies, it’s about values and it’s about character,’ Obama said, as reported by the Detroit Free Press.
“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,” Obama said. “Don’t just hope, get off your couch and vote. Vote for Kamala Harris.”
On X, reactions to Barack Obama, including his rapping of Eminem’s bars, have been positive. We’ve got some of them listed below. We have the video clip in question below as well, courtesy of MSNBC.
Obama raps Eminem’s “Lose Yourself,” after being introduced by the rapper at a rally for Harris in Detroit, MI. pic.twitter.com/MqXJzplZPY
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) October 23, 2024
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Photo: Getty
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Eminem has been very vocal about his anti-Trump stance ever since Cheeto Jesus first took office in 2017. With so much riding on the line in this years presidential election, the greatest white rapper in Hip-Hop is doing his part to help get the first Black woman elected into the Oval Office.
According to Variety, Slim Shady has hit the campaign trail in his hometown of Detroit and will be throwing his celebrity weight behind the Harris/Walz ticket as he’ll be introducing former President Barack Obama when the 44th president of the United States takes the stage in Motor City Tuesday night (Oct. 22). No stranger to the political world, the “Stan” rapper will once again be using his popularity to help save American democracy from a political party that seems intent on turning the U.S. into an autocracy with Donald Trump at the helm.
Per Variety:
Eminem, who supported the Joe Biden-Kamala Harris ticket in 2020 with a campaign ad featuring his song “Lose Yourself,” has angrily criticized the Republican candidate, former President Donald Trump, multiple times in the past, calling him a “racist,” among other things, during a 2017 freestyle called “The Storm” at the BET Awards.
Obama has said “Lose Yourself” was one of his favorite get-psyched songs during his own presidential campaign in 2008.
As the presidential race reaches its final days, Harris and Trump are virtually tied in five key battleground states, including Michigan, according to the New York Times‘ polling average — with neither candidate ahead by even a single point. The five states are Pennsylvania, Michigan, Nevada, Wisconsin and North Carolina.
How this race is even this close is beyond us, but then again, racism, right?
Unfortunately, for Eminem fans, the iconic rapper isn’t expected to perform any of his numerous hits or drop one of his famous off-the-top-of-his-head freestyles, but you never know. If Obama asks nicely he just may perform his favorite cut, “Lose Yourself.”
Either way best believe MAGA country will take to social media to slander Eminem in every way, shape and form for supporting Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. It’s inevitable, but we doubt he cares one bit.
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The 2024 race for the White House is coming down to the wire, and while Donald Trump is still out here churning out conspiracy theories, divisive rhetoric and racist dog whistles, former President Barack Obama is doing what he can to ensure America doesn’t fall into an autocratic nightmare come 2025, even if it means taking a jab at the Cult 45 leader.
This past Thursday night (Oct. 10), the 44th president of the United States hit the campaign trail in support of Kamala Harris and gave a speech for the ages in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, reminding everyone that democracy is literally on the line in this year’s election and that Donald Trump knows nothing about relating to the average American. Well, except in maybe one way in which Donald Trump can relate to senior citizens.
While praising Kamala Harris’ proposed policy to grant parents of newborn babies a $6,000 child tax credit, Obama recalled his early days as a dad who could’ve used such a tax break back in the day. Speaking on how he learned how expensive diapers were during those days, Obama said, “I remember changing diapers. Do you think Donald Trump ever changed a diaper?” With many people in the audience laughing and saying “No,” one person in attendance could clearly be heard saying, “His own!”
Not being one to pass up an opportunity to crack a joke, President Obama smiled and pointed to the man who yelled it saying, “I almost said that but decided I shouldn’t say it,” much to the delight of the crowd.
Obama: Or diapers. I remember buying diapers. Do you think Donald Trump ever changed a diaper?
Supporter: His own!
Obama: I almost said that, but I decided I should not say it. pic.twitter.com/iaUj89I2DD
— Acyn (@Acyn) October 10, 2024
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For those who don’t know, it’s been said that not only does Donald Trump wear adult diapers, but that he involuntarily farts and actually sh*ts himself on the regular. There were also rumors that his lawyers could smell his dirty diapers during his hush money trial in New York City earlier this year. Even as early as yesterday (Oct. 10), when Donald Trump gave an “economic” speech in Detroit where he bashed the city for basically being a slump in his opinion. People say that Don-Old might’ve sharted himself on stage.
I’m seeing posts alleging that Trump suffered from an involuntary gas/fecal discharge during this portion of his remarks. pic.twitter.com/y2sDatoAhg
— Acyn (@Acyn) October 10, 2024
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Yeah, that’s not a good look for someone running to be president, but his cult followers will never abandon him no matter what he does. The man is an adjudicated rapist for God’s sake.
Interestingly enough, Donald Trump took to his struggle social media site, Truth Social, to say that he thinks President Obama will ultimately vote Trump because, well, Donald Trump is mentally challenged. That’s as best as we can put it at this point, and there’s nothing worst than a mentally challenged racist/rapist who has a bone to pick with anyone who doesn’t worship him.
Vote accordingly, y’all.
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Former President Barack Obama firmly called out undecided Black male voters, asking them to support Kamala Harris over former President Donald Trump.
On Thursday (October 10), former President Barack Obama made a surprise visit to a field office for Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He used that appearance to talk with the volunteers gathered about Black men who are undecided about the upcoming election and those leaning towards supporting Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. “We have not seen the same kinds of energy and turnout in all quarters of our neighborhoods and communities as we saw when I was running. Now, I also want to say that that seems to be more pronounced with the brothers,” Obama began.
https://twitter.com/Acyn/status/1844545484255535262
“And you are thinking about sitting out?” he continued, referencing those who have considered not voting at all in November. “Part of it makes me think — and I’m speaking to men directly — part of it makes me think that, well, you just aren’t feeling the idea of having a woman as president, and you’re coming up with other alternatives and other reasons for that.” Obama then spoke about Black women continuing to be highly supportive of Black men in the community. “When we get in trouble and the system isn’t working for us, they’re the ones out there marching and protesting,” he added, highlighting the difference between Harris and Trump to show who they should vote for. “On the one hand, you have somebody who grew up like you, knows you, went to college with you, understands the struggles and pain and joy that comes from those experiences,” highlighting Harris’ focus on policies that will benefit Black communities. “And on the other side, you have someone who has consistently shown disregard, not just for the communities, but for you as a person.”
The campaign office visit left some on social media taking offense to how the former president was addressing Black men, but others backed his approach as a much-needed move. Recent data shows that while there is a growing number of Black men under 50 who have warmed to Trump, a significant amount are planning to back Harris at the voting booth. “Very rarely do I go into a barbershop and I hear people say, ‘Democrats have failed me,’” said Philadelphia Councilmember Isaiah Thomas in an interview. “People might say the government has failed Black people, but not Democrats.”
See more reactions in the gallery.
1. Terrance Omar
2. Solomon Missouri
3. Alison Witz, Ph.D
4. Sincerely LaTishia
5. Sons of Killmonger
6. D.A. Osorio
7. Yard Talk HBCU
8. BluPhoenixRise
Barack Obama is bumpin’ Charli XCX‘s Brat, whether fans think he is or not.
A couple of weeks after releasing his annual summer playlist, the former president doubled down on his fandom of the British pop star’s critically acclaimed album during an interview on the I’ve Had It podcast. “I just put out my playlist, and ‘365’ is on it, and [Brat] is a great album,” he told hosts Jennifer Welch and Angie “Pumps” Sullivan.
“People question sometimes whether I’m actually listening to all this music,” Obama added with a defiant expression. “As I’ve testified before, I am. Charli XCX, she knows what she’s doing.”
The politician dropped his 2024 summer jams on Aug. 12, spotlighting Shaboozey’s Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” Billie Eilish’s “Chihiro” and Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em,” in addition to Charli’s album closer. He also featured GloRilla and Megan Thee Stallion’s “Wanna Be,” Saweetie’s “My Best,” Tems’ “Love Me Jeje,” Moneybagg Yo and Morgan Wallen’s genre-blending “Whiskey Whiskey,” plus 2Pac’s “How Do U Want It” and Common’s “The People.”
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From Obama’s shout-out to Kamala Harris’ recent co-opting of Brat for her campaign, the “Von Dutch” singer has had much more to do with American politics this year than she probably expected. After spontaneously tweeting “Kamala IS brat” in July after the VP took over President Joe Biden’s spot on the 2024 Democratic ticket, the former attorney’s team was quick to rebrand the KamalaHQ X account with a header inspired by Charli’s album cover — but the musician has since said she never intended to make a full-fledged endorsement.
“Did I think me talking about being a mess b–ch and, like partying and needing a Bic lighter and a pack of Marlboro Lights would end up on CNN? No,” she told Vulture in August, noting that she is not, and has never aspired to be, “a political artist.” “I’m not Bob Dylan and I’ve never pretended to be… My music is not political. Everything I do in my life feeds back into my art. Everything I say, wear, think, enjoy — it all funnels back into my art. Politics doesn’t feed my art.”
Watch Obama defend his claim to Brat summer below.
Barack Obama and Michelle Obama rallied the United Center crowd at the 2024 Democratic National Convention with a pair of fiery speeches on Tuesday night (Aug. 20), and drawing comparisons to Kendrick Lamar‘s Drake disses in the process.
The former president and first lady electrified democrats on night two of the DNC while attacking Republican nominee Donald Trump and encouraging citizens to get out and vote to make sure they’re heard on Nov. 5, which is 76 days away.
“We don’t need four more years of bluster and chaos,” Barack said. “We’ve seen that movie — and we all know that the sequel’s usually worse. America is ready for a new chapter. America’s ready for a better story. We are ready for a President Kamala Harris.”
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Rap fans immediately began connecting the Obamas’ speeches toLamar’sdisses against Drizzy. “They should’ve put the ‘meet the grahams’ beat behind this michelle speech,” former Desus & Mero host Desus Nice tweeted.
Others were a step ahead and edited the harrowing instrumental behind the speeches, which some dubbed the remix as “Meet the Trumps.”
“His limited, narrow view of the world made him feel threatened by the existence of two hard-working, highly educated, successful people who happened to be Black,” Michelle Obama said of Trump before her mic drop as the music plays in the remixed video. “I wanna know who’s gonna tell him that the job he’s currently seeking might just be one of those Black jobs?”
Apple Music host Lowkey continued to quote lyrics from K. Dot’s “Euphoria” alongside clips of Obamas’ speeches. “There’s three goats left and i see two of them kissing and hugging on stage,” he tweeted.
Another viewer chimed in: “Trump’s Truth Social meltdown on the Obama’s is like Drake tryin to respond after Kendrick left him for dead. Done and dusted.”
Music has also been at the center of the DNC in Chicago this week, with Patti LaBelle, Common and DJ Cassidy hitting the stage on night two. Lil Jon even made a surprise appearance to fire up the thousands in attendance, which included Spike Lee and Eva Longoria.
During the California roll call, West Coast hip-hop dominated the segment. Lamar’s “Not Like Us” provided the soundtrack for a set that included K. Dot’s “Alright,” Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre’s “The Next Episode” and 2Pac’s “California Love.”
Find more reactions to the Obamas’ speeches below.
dnc bringing out 2pac tomorrow— Desus MF Nice💯 (@desusnice) August 21, 2024
That Obama family is cookin tonight cyat dang !!!— Peter Rosenberg (@Rosenbergradio) August 21, 2024
President Barack Obama’s speech at the DNC if it were backed by Kendrick Lamar’s “Meet The Grahams” instrumental (produced by The Alchemist). pic.twitter.com/gGf7tGqKgU— Andrés Tardio (@AndresWrites) August 21, 2024
There are two people in the world that you don’t wanna have beef with: Kendrick Lamar and Michelle Obama. You will not win. Worzers!!!— Kafui Dzirasa, MD PhD (@KafuiDzirasa) August 21, 2024
Feel like the Obama’s listened to Kendrick all night and then showed up to the DNC— Trump Is Weird (@UnSpoken_Victim) August 21, 2024
The Obama’s danced on trump’s corps like Kendrick Lamar and Whitney danced on Drake’s— 🇨🇩Sports Guy🇨🇩 (@PlamsAbt) August 21, 2024
I need to see Michell Obama’s Summer playlist because I know every single track that Kendrick dropped recently is on there 😂— Chloe (@CosmicallyChloe) August 21, 2024
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Former President Barack Obama’s speech at the Democratic National Convention backing Kamala Harris energized the crowd and those watching on social media.The second night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois came to a close with former President Barack Obama taking the podium to deliver a speech that revved up the crowd and those watching via social media. He took the stage after a powerful speech delivered by his wife, the former First Lady Michelle Obama. The crowd rose to their feet and gave him a standing ovation as he began, saying “I don’t know about you, but it’s good to be home. I don’t know about you but I’m feeling fired up.. even if I’m the only person stupid enough to speak after Michelle Obama.” He continued, reflecting on speaking to a similar crowd 16 years ago as he became the Democratic presidential nominee, joking “I know that’s hard to believe because I haven’t aged a bit.” He soon turned to honoring his former vice president, the current President Joe Biden.
The former president would then roast Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump. “Here is a 78-year-old billionaire who has not stopped whining about his problems since he rode down his golden escalator nine years ago,” he said, remarking: “There’s the childish nicknames, the crazy conspiracy theories, this weird obsession with crowd sizes,” he said, with the crowd roaring with laughter as he mimicked one of Trump’s recognizable hand gestures. At one point, they booed him mentioning Trump, prompting him to fire back with a signature line: “Don’t boo. Vote!”
Obama would affirm his belief in Vice President Harris. “America is ready for a better story. America is ready for President Kamala Harris. She’ll work on behalf of every American because that’s who Kamala is.” He also praised her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. His tone got more serious as he spoke about making sure to mobilize and vote to protect American democracy.
That feeling was matched by many on social media. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Isiah Sanders wrote of the impact of the former POTUS & FLOTUS’ speeches: “I can usually tell when MAGA gets quiet here on X. They’re quiet, very quiet after Michelle and now Barack.” Others praised Obama’s strong message of inclusivity as a hallmark of American democracy.
Also, Barack Obama created a new meme.
Check out more of the responses to Barack Obama’s speech below.
1. Jennifer Bendery
2. Harry Dunn
3. T. Fisher King
4. Nicole Nichelle
6. CJ Johnson
7. Liz Jenkins
8. Wajahat Ali
9. Ron Filipkowski
10. Jay Black
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Fall is almost here thus it is time for Barack Obama’s 2024 summer playlist. The likes of 2Pac, GloRilla and Beyoncé are some of the artists who made the cut.
As reported by HipHopNMore, the 44th president of the United States has shared his yearly drop of tracks that he has been grooving to the last couple of months. On Monday, Aug. 12, he took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to do the unveiling. “With summer winding down, I wanted to share some songs that I’ve been listening to lately – and it wouldn’t be my playlist if it didn’t include an eclectic mix. I hope you find something new to listen to!” his post read.
Barack Obama’s summer 2024 playlist is as follows:
Shaboozey: “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”
Charli XCX: “365”
Billie Eilish: “Chihiro”
Tems: “Love Me Jeje”
Artemas: “I Like the Way You Kiss Me”
Tommy Richman: “Million Dollar Baby”
Hope Tala: “I Can’t Even Cry”
Blackstreet: “No Diggity” [ft. Dr. Dre and Queen Pen]
Enny: “Charge It”
Carminho: “O Quarto (Soundtrack Version)”
Calimossa: “What’s in the Tea?”
Hubert Sumlin & Keith Richards: “I Love the Life I Live, I Live the Life I Love”
PJ Morton: “Say So” [ft. Jojo]
Cleo Sol: “Why Don’t You”
The Miracles: “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me”
H.E.R.: “Process”
2Pac: “How Do U Want It” [ft. K-Ci and Jojo]
Sting: “If You Love Somebody Set Them Free”
Lucinda Williams: “Unsuffer Me”
Jill Scott: “Golden”
The Rolling Stones: “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”
Saweetie: “My Best”
Charles Mingus: “Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting”
Norah Jones: “Come Away With Me”
Common: “The People”
Etta James: “Don’t Cry Baby”
Chris Jedi, Gaby Music, & Dei V: “Bad Boy” [ft. Anuel AA and Ozuna]
Rema: “Yayo”
Bonny Light Horseman: “Old Dutch”
Willow: “Symptom of Life”
Moneybagg Yo: “Whiskey Whiskey” [ft. Morgan Wallen]
Myles Smith: “Stargazing”
GloRilla & Megan Thee Stallion: “Wanna Be”
Tyla, Gunna, & Skillibeng: “Jump”
Bad Bunny & Feid: “Perro Negro”
Paul Russell: “Lil Boo Thang”
Digable Planets: “Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)”
Bob Marley & the Wailers: “Them Belly Full (But We Hungry)”
Nick Drake: “One of These Things First”
Bob Dylan: “Silvio”
Pharoah Sanders: “Love Is Everywhere”
The Supremes: “Where Did Our Love Go”
Beyoncé: “Texas Hold ‘Em”
Samara Joy: “Someone to Watch Over Me” [ft. Pasquale Grasso]
For years it has been speculated that Barack Obama’s staff chooses the songs, but in an interview with Hasan Minhaj the former POTUS made it clear he is the one making the selections. “People seem to think, ‘Well, he must’ve had some 20-year-old intern who was figuring out this latest cut,’” Barack said. “No, man! It’s on my iPad right now!” You can listen to the playlist here.
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Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty
Former President Barack Obama officially endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic nominee for president, and social media exploded with the news.On Friday morning (July 26), former President Barack Obama officially endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic nominee for president this November. The news set the Internet ablaze, as social media users chimed in with their responses. The 44th president posted a video to X, formerly Twitter which captured him and former First Lady Michelle Obama calling Harris (decked out in a tan pantsuit no less) after her speech in Indianapolis to members of the historically Black sorority Zeta Phi Beta on Wednesday (July 24). In the video, Harris responded joyfully, “Thank you both! It means so much. And, and we’re going to have some fun with this, too, aren’t we?”
“Earlier this week, Michelle and I called our friend @KamalaHarris,” Obama wrote in the post. “We told her we think she’ll make a fantastic President of the United States, and that she has our full support. At this critical moment for our country, we’re going to do everything we can to make sure she wins in November. We hope you’ll join us.” He and Michelle Obama also released a joint statement designed to fundraise for Harris’ campaign publicly, writing: “There is no doubt in our mind that Kamala Harris has exactly what it takes to win this election and deliver for the American people.”
The endorsement by Barack Obama comes after a few days of speculation as to why he hadn’t issued it before when President Joe Biden announced he wasn’t going to seek re-election on Sunday. Some Trump supporters were dismissive of the Obamas’ endorsement. “Posting your ‘Support’ for Kamala really late/early hoping nobody would see,” a Marjorie Taylor Green fan account posted, adding “Looks like Obama was able to get Kamala to agree to be his puppet.” Others were wildly supportive, remarking how the former president was savvy in making his endorsement – the two have been close since his campaign run in 2007. They also chided early stories claiming that he wasn’t supportive of the vice president’s campaign.
Take a look at the responses to the endorsement below.
1. Alex Cole
2. Brian Tyler Cohen
3. Fly With Kamala
4. Heidi N. Moore
5. Wu Tang Is For The Children
6. Kp_official_1