FORMER US President Barack Obama endorsed fellow Democrat Kamala Harris in her campaign for the White House today, providing a significant boost as she aims to defeat Donald Trump in the upcoming presidential election.
“Earlier this week, Michelle and I spoke with our friend Kamala Harris. We expressed our belief that she would be a fantastic President of the United States and assured her of our full support,” Obama shared on the social media platform X.
“At this critical juncture for our country, we will do everything possible to ensure she wins in November. We hope you’ll join us.”
As one of the last prominent Democratic figures to lend his endorsement, Obama’s support comes after President Joe Biden backed Harris on Sunday to join him on the ballot.
This endorsement from the influential former leader will contribute to the growing momentum behind Harris’ campaign, which has seen a surge of support since she announced her candidacy at the last minute.
Harris, 59, entered the race following weeks of uncertainty surrounding 81-year-old Biden, who withdrew after a poor debate performance against Trump heightened concerns about his mental acuity and persistently low approval ratings.
The first woman vice president of the United States, who aims to make history again in November, launched a fierce attack on Trump and his “extremist” Republican allies while addressing teachers yesterday.
The momentum of her campaign seemed to catch Trump off guard, prompting him to decline to schedule a debate with Harris, stating yesterday night that it would be “inappropriate” until she is officially named the Democratic nominee.
“Democrats could very well change their minds,” said Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung in a statement.
Harris, a former top prosecutor in California, took to X to challenge her opponent, asking: “What happened to ‘any time, any place?’” She had previously expressed her readiness for a potential debate on September 10, stating, “I’m ready. So let’s go.”
In a show of support, the American Federation of Teachers became the first union to endorse Harris, applauding her at their convention in Houston as she warned that the country is experiencing a “full-on attack” by Trump’s Republicans on “hard-won, hard-fought freedoms.”
“While you teach students about democracy and representative government, extremists are assaulting the sacred freedom to vote. While you strive to create safe and welcoming environments for our children to learn, extremists are undermining our freedom to live free from gun violence,” she declared.
This speech came as Harris faced increasingly extreme rhetoric from Trump, who on Wednesday labeled her a “radical left lunatic” and falsely claimed she supported the “execution” of newborns.
At 78, Trump is the oldest presidential nominee in US history and has vowed to “not give one penny” of federal funds to schools with vaccine mandates, which is in place at every public school across America.
