Former First Lady Michelle Obama has come under fire for perceived hypocrisy following her recent speech at the Democratic National Convention.
Despite her personal net worth exceeding $70 million, Obama admonished Americans about the perils of "taking more than they need."
In her address, which was met with enthusiastic applause from the predominantly liberal audience, Obama paid tribute to her mother, Mary Robinson. "She and my father didn't aspire to be wealthy. In fact, they were suspicious of folks who took more than they needed. They understood that it wasn't enough for their kids to thrive if everyone else around us was drowning. So my mother volunteered at the local school," she said.
These remarks sparked a wave of criticism on social media, with many questioning the sincerity of her words given her substantial wealth and ownership of multiple properties, including an opulent estate in Martha's Vineyard. One social media user wrote, "Yeah Michelle Obama lost me when she said 'my parents taught me not to trust wealthy people' and shes worth 70 million. This election is comedy." Another commented, "The 70 MILLION DOLLAR Marthas Vineyard Socialist, Michelle Obama. Oh, how times have changed."
According to the Daily Mail, the Obamas purchased their expansive 28-acre vacation home on Martha's Vineyard for $11.75 million in 2020. This acquisition further fueled the controversy surrounding the former First Lady's comments.
In addition to her remarks on wealth, Obama also launched a series of scathing criticisms against Republican nominee Donald Trump during her convention speech. She labeled Trump as misogynistic, racist, petty, and small, in a powerful critique that overshadowed even her former president husband, Barack Obama.
The 60-year-old former First Lady expressed her support for Kamala Harris, referring to her as "my girl," and urged the Democratic Party to rally behind her. This came after allegations that the Obama inner circle had played a part in forcing Joe Biden out of the race. In a statement that elicited a strong reaction from the audience, she said of Trump: "Who's going to tell him the job he's currently seeking might be one of those black jobs?"
The Obamas' speeches coincided with a Harris rally held 90 miles away, leading to speculation that the White House was displeased with the Obamas' alleged role in Biden's withdrawal from the race.
Despite the controversy surrounding her comments on wealth, Michelle Obama remains a beloved figure within the Democratic Party. Her entrance at the convention was met with cheers as she declared "hope is making a comeback." She also delivered a series of personal attacks against Trump, while her husband appeared to mock Trump's alleged obsession with size.
Michelle Obama's influence within the Democratic Party is undeniable, even though she has repeatedly rejected the political spotlight. Her endorsement of Harris was well-received, with her husband joking that he was "the only person stupid enough to speak right after Michelle Obama."
However, the controversy surrounding her comments on wealth and her own personal fortune raises questions about the sincerity of her message. It remains to be seen how this will impact the Democratic Party's campaign in the upcoming election.
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