Barack Obama’s recent appearance at the University of Pittsburgh has drawn significant attention, not just for his support of Kamala Harris but for his off-the-cuff remark about Donald Trump. During his 45-minute speech, the former president made a lighthearted comment that appeared to suggest Trump, aged 78, wore adult diapers. What began as a joke quickly turned into a social media frenzy, with many accusing Obama of being insensitive.
An audience member yelled “his own!” when Barack Obama asked if Trump had ever changed a diaper. Although the crowd laughed, reactions online were swift and divided. One X (formerly Twitter) user remarked, “Barack Obama would know about changing diapers. He does for Joe,” referencing President Biden’s age and physical condition. Some found Barack Obama’s comment distasteful, with critics highlighting the challenges faced by people who genuinely rely on adult diapers. One user commented, “They go low, and we go low. It’s sad that Obama would stoop that low.”
Mocking Trump’s Commercial Endeavors
Obama also ridiculed Trump for promoting products during his presidential campaign, notably making fun of Trump’s attempts to sell sneakers, expensive watches, and even “Trump Bibles.” The former president humorously remarked, “He sells you gold sneakers and a $100,000 watch… who does that?” He further added, “If you saw it on Saturday Night Live, you’d say no, that’s going too far… it’s crazy.”
Trump’s marketing ventures have long been criticized as opportunistic, especially his commercial activities during his 2024 run. Barack Obama capitalized on this by calling out Trump’s tendency to merge politics with business, implying that Trump is more focused on selling merchandise than addressing the needs of the American people. His comments about the “Trump Bible” also resonated, with Obama questioning the appropriateness of Trump’s name next to sacred biblical figures like Matthew and Luke.
Criticism of Trump’s Leadership and Policy Failures
Throughout his speech, Barack Obama contrasted Trump’s leadership style with his own, criticizing the former president’s handling of key issues like the economy and immigration. Referring to Trump’s boasts about the economy during his presidency, Obama quipped, “It was pretty good because it was my economy.” He reminded the audience that he had inherited the 2008 financial crisis and worked for eight years to restore stability.
Barack Obama further attacked Trump’s immigration policies, calling them “mean and ugly” and accusing Trump of using them to stoke anger rather than solve the issue. He pointed out that despite Trump’s promises to build a border wall and deport millions of undocumented immigrants, little progress was made by the end of his term. “He didn’t have a real plan; he had talking points,” Obama said. His criticisms highlighted the contrast between Trump’s rhetoric and his lack of substantial results.
Audience Reaction and Barack Obama’s Continued Influence
Despite the backlash to his joke, Barack Obama remains a popular figure among Democrats, particularly young voters. Students attending the event in Pittsburgh voiced their admiration for the former president, with many calling him “inspirational” and “cool.” Ava Nicholas, a 19-year-old sophomore, praised Obama for being a symbol of hope and change, while Jade Davis, another sophomore, reflected on the lasting impact Obama had as the first Black president.
Polling suggests that Barack Obama is more popular in swing states like Pennsylvania than both Harris and Trump. According to Emerson College, 55% of Pennsylvanians view Obama positively, compared to 48% for Harris and 50% for Trump. His influence remains strong, particularly among younger generations, and many believe his involvement in Harris’ campaign could help rally support in key battleground states.
However, Obama’s remarks come at a sensitive time, as the Biden-Harris administration faces criticism over its handling of the Gaza conflict. Some students expressed concerns that Harris’ position on Gaza might alienate young voters, with Nicholas acknowledging that this issue could sway potential voters away from the Democratic ticket.
