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
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.
-
The Assassin: action-packed caper is 'terrific fun'
The Week Recommends Keeley Hawes stars as a former hitwoman drawn out of retirement for 'one last job'
-
The EPA wants to green-light approval for a twice-banned herbicide
Under the radar Dicamba has been found to harm ecosystems
-
Crossword: July 30, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
-
Thailand, Cambodia agree to ceasefire in border fight
Speed Read At least 38 people were killed and more than 300,000 displaced in the recent violence
-
Israel 'pauses' Gaza military activity as aid outcry grows
Speed Read The World Health Organization said malnutrition has reached 'alarming levels' in Gaza
-
US and EU reach trade deal
Speed Read Trump's meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen resulted in a tariff agreement that will avert a transatlantic trade war
-
At least 12 dead in Thai-Cambodian clashes
Speed Read Both countries accused the other of firing first
-
US and Japan strike trade deal
Speed Read Trump signed what he's calling the 'largest deal ever made'
-
28 nations condemn Israel's 'inhumane killing' in Gaza
Speed Read Countries including Australia, France, Japan and the U.K. have released a joint statement condemning Israel's ongoing attacks
-
Israeli gunfire kills dozens at Gaza aid site
Speed Read The U.N. estimates that at least 875 Palestinians have died while trying to access food in recent months
-
Rubio says US brokered end to Syria conflict
Speed Read Syria's defense ministry was targeted in Israeli attacks on the capital