Election 2024 live: Eminem introduces Obama at rally for Harris and Walz in Detroit

Barack Obama blasted those who said they would vote for Donald Trump because of his image of “strength.”

“I have friends who have voted Republican in the past. I do not think one party has the monopoly on all wisdom,” he said. “But when I hear folks saying, ‘Yeah, I’m thinking about voting for him just because…’ and I say, ‘what?’

“And they say, ‘Well… he seems strong, he seems tough. I saw him at the UFC fight.’ … I am here to tell you that is not what real strength is. It never has been. Real strength is about working hard… That’s real strength.

“Real strength is taking responsibility for your actions and upholding your duty. Real strength is about telling the truth even when it’s inconvenient. Real strength is about helping people who need it and standing up for those who can’t always stand up for themselves.”

During his speech in Detroit, Michigan, Barack Obama adressed the differences between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.

“I don’t think we’ve ever had an election with candidates whose conception whose understanding of freedom is so different,” he said. “Because for Donald Trump and his cronies, freedom basically just means getting away with stuff.”

Barack Obama laughed as he recalled speaking to voters about the economy – a major issue for voters – under Donald Trump.

“Now, I’ll be honest with you, I’ve been talking to people around the country, and sometimes I hear people say, ‘Well, you know, yeah, I know Trump’s kind of goofy, but I do remember the economy when he first came in it was pretty good,’” he said.

“And I say, ‘yeah, it was good… because it was my economy! I know y’all remember it!”

In his remarks, Obama made reference to Donald Trump’s recent publicity stunt working at McDonald’s.

“Kamala Harris is ready for the job,” he said. This is a leader who has spent her life fighting on behalf of people who need a voice need a champion.

“Somebody who was raised in the middle class, she worked at McDonald’s when she was in college to pay her expenses. She did not pretend to work at McDonald’s when it was closed…”

Barack Obama took swipes at Donald Trump’s advancing age and strange remarks as he addressed crowds in Michigan.

“He said January 6 was a day of love. Made it sound like Woodstock, made it sound like Coachella,” he said. “Here’s the point Detroit, if your grandpa was at you like this, you’d be worried. You’d call up you call up your sister, your brother, your cousin. You be all like, ‘let me holla at you. Have you noticed grandpa? He acting a little funny.’”

He continued: “But this is somebody who wants unchecked power. We do not need to see what an older, loonier Donald Trump with no guard rails.”

Barack Obama joked about his nerves as he began remarks in Michigan, referencing lyrics by rapper Eminem, who introduced him to the stage.

“You know, I have done a lot of rallies, so I don’t usually get nervous, but I was feeling some kind of way following Eminem,” he said. “Now I know this. My palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy… There’s vomit on his sweater already, mom’s spaghetti.

“I’m nervous, but on the surface, he looks calm and ready.

Eminem was given a hero’s welcome as he took to the stage ahead of Barack Obama at a rally for Kamala Harris in Detroit.

The rapper, real name Marshall Mathers, urged people to get out and vote and delivered short remarks. “I think vice president Harris supports a future for this country where there’s freedoms, and many others that will be protected and upheld,” he said.

Eminem then introduced Obama, who walked out to Lose Yourself.