Barack Obama lectured black men for their reluctance to support Kamala Harris, saying "the brothers" have only one reason - misogyny - for not supporting a candidate who understands their "struggles."
Obama is launching a campaign blitz for Harris as the presidential election enters its home stretch, and Democrats fret her initial surge of "joy" is fading, placing Obama's entire legacy at risk.
Speaking to a crowd in Pittsburgh, Obama painted Harris as a compassionate defender of the working class - as he scolded men who find Trump's "bullying" appealing.
“I’m sorry, gentlemen, I noticed this, especially with some men who seem to think Trump’s behavior pulling and putting people down is a sign of strength,” he said. “And I am here to tell you that is not what real strength is.”
Prior to the speech, at a "Black Voters for Harris" event, Obama noted that Harris' support from the Democratic base is weakening, especially among "the brothers."
"We have not yet seen the same kinds of energy and turnout in all quarters of our neighborhoods and communities, as we saw when I was running,” Obama said.
“Now, I also want to say that seems to be more pronounced with the brothers,” Obama said.
Obama went on to scold black men for having "excuses" not to back Harris, whose female-centric, abortion-first campaign has struggled to appeal to men in general.
The former president said the choice for black men is clear, adding Harris understands their "struggles."
“[Y]ou’re coming up with all kinds of reasons and excuses," Obama said. "I've got a problem with that."
Obama insisted the only reason black men are not flocking to vote for Harris is that she is a woman.
“Because 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," he said.
A recent NAACP survey found that one in four black men under age 50 are supporting Trump, reflecting historically low support for Democrats from a core part of their base.
Trump relished Obama's comments on Truth Social, joking that Obama might vote for Trump too.
"Obama admits a total lack of enthusiasm for Kamala, especially with Black Men,” he wrote. “I think Obama will be voting for me because he doesn’t like the fact that Kamala is an extremely Low IQ Person!"
