Michelle Obama says Trump is 'clearly in over his head' and 'simply cannot be who we need him to be'

(Image credit: Screenshot/Twitter/ABC News)

last updated 18 August 2020

Former first lady Michelle Obama made clear in her keynote address at Monday's Democratic National Convention that she does not think President Trump is doing a great job as president, but she made her point more in sorrow than anger.

"Donald Trump is the wrong president for our country," Obama said. "He has had more than enough time to prove that he can do the job, but he is clearly in over his head. He cannot meet this moment. He simply cannot be who we need him to be for us. It is what it is." That last line was likely a nod to Trump's assessment of America's high COVID-19 death toll in an interview with Axios on HBO.

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Obama acknowledged that her assessment of Trump's lacking abilities and character won't be heard by everyone, and she noted that the American people at least know "I hate politics." There's clearly a broad constituency for that sentiment, but she's right that it probably won't tune into a partisan nominating convention.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.