''One more reality show.''
Former US President Barack Obama has launched a scathing attack on his successor, Donald Trump.
During a powerful speech on day three of the Democratic National Convention, Mr Obama unleashed on Mr Trump’s record as President.
“I did hope, for the sake of our country, that Donald Trump might show some interest in taking the job seriously. That he might come to feel the weight of the office, and discover some reverence for the democracy that had been placed in his care,” Mr Obama said.
“But he never did. For close to four years now, he has shown no interest in putting in the work. No interest in finding common ground. No interest in using the awesome power of his office to help anyone but himself and his friends. No interest in treating the presidency as anything but one more reality show he can use to get the attention he craves.
“Donald Trump hasn’t grown into the job, because he can’t. And the consequences of that failure are severe – 170,000 Americans dead. Millions of jobs gone, while those at the top take in more than ever. Our worst impulses unleashed, our proud reputation around the world diminished, and our democratic institutions threatened like never before.”
Barack Obama said President Donald Trump has failed to grow into the job and has only used the 'awesome power' of the presidency to help himself and his friends #DNC2020 https://t.co/Dqd8px6rBY pic.twitter.com/TMga2J1tT3
— Reuters (@Reuters) August 20, 2020
Obama even became uncharacteristically emotional at times during the speech, as he spoke about the struggles previous generations of African-Americans endured in their fight for civil rights. Read on for more details on that moment.
Struck by this particular moment in @BarackObama's speech to the #DemConvention. You can sense the emotion burning through here. Very different from his usual demeanour, which is stubbornly composed - sometimes bordering on dispassionate pic.twitter.com/ltWeAS3bct
— Sam Clench (@SamClench) August 20, 2020
You can watch his full speech in the video above.
The US Federal Election takes place on Tuesday November 3rd, and will see Democratic candidate Joe Biden run against Trump.
