Michelle Obama deems Trump 'racist' who 'lied to us' about coronavirus dangers in final video for Biden


Former first lady Michelle Obama isn't mincing her words in criticizing President Trump even after a few tumultuous days at the White House.
Obama released a 24-minute video advocating for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris on Tuesday, calling it her "closing argument" for the campaign. Obama almost didn't "go public" with this message after Trump and other White House officials contracted coronavirus, she tweeted, but ultimately concluded "the drama of the past few days has only emphasized what's at stake in this election."
While Obama's video didn't mention Trump's coronavirus diagnosis, she did deem him "missing in action" throughout the coronavirus crisis. Trump is a man who "knew how deadly this virus is, but who lied to us, and told us it would just disappear," Obama said. Trump's failure is apparent if we just "look around the world," as countries with "the same kind of resources to contain" the virus did so because they didn't have to "contend with" Trump, she added.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Trump didn't call for unity during this "greatest crisis of our lifetimes," Obama continued, and instead spent it "lying about how minorities will destroy the suburbs" and "whipping up violence and intimidation." But even though Trump's words are "patently false," "morally wrong," and even "racist," they still could win him the election if Americans don't "vote for Joe Biden like your lives depend on it," Obama concluded.
Watch Obama's video below. Kathryn Krawczyk
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.
-
6 trackers to help you find everything from your keys to your kids
The Week Recommends These devices offer accuracy and ease
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US
-
Codeword: April 17, 2025
The Week's daily codeword puzzle
By The Week Staff
-
Crossword: April 17, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff
-
China accuses NSA of Winter Games cyberattacks
speed read China alleges that the U.S. National Security Agency launched cyberattacks during the Asian Winter Games in February
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Russian strike kills dozens in Ukraine
Speed Read The Sumy ballistic missile strike was Russia's deadliest attack on civilians this year
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across Syria
THE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
South Korea court removes impeached president
Speed Read The Constitutional Court upheld the impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol after his declaration of martial law in December
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Myanmar quake deaths rise as survivor search intensifies
speed read The magnitude-7.7 earthquake in central Myanmar has killed a documented 2,000 people so far, and left scores more trapped beneath rubble
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
'Like a sound from hell': Serbia and sonic weapons
The Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests
By Abby Wilson
-
Israel detains director after West Bank settler clash
speed read The director of Oscar-winning documentary 'No Other Land' was arrested and beaten
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Turkey arrests Istanbul mayor, a top Erdogan rival
Speed Read Protests erupted in Turkey after authorities detained Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu
By Peter Weber, The Week US