'Did nobody come to his birthday party when he was a kid?' Barack Obama mocks Donald Trump's 'superspreader' rallies as he campaigns with Joe Biden for the first time with two rallies in must-win Michigan
Barack Obama mocked President Donald Trump for not getting enough attention and acting 'phony macho' during a pair of campaign appearances for Joe Biden Saturday.
The former president made took several shots at his successor that are sure to raise Trump's ire, including poking fun at the president's obsession with crowds.
'Does he have nothing better to worry about?,' Obama said during a drive-in rally in Detroit. 'Did no one come to his birthday party when he was a kid? Was he traumatized?'
'Is Fox News not giving him enough attention?' he added as the crowd roared.
And he took a swipe at Trump's image. The president calls himself the 'law and order' president but Obama called him 'phony.'
'You know when I hear this this kind of phony macho, you know, acting tough, smiling all the time, that's not that's not what it used to be, to be a man a father, a leader, you didn't go around bragging all the time, you didn't go around putting other people down. And Joe understands that,' Obama said.
Obama and Biden made their first joint appearance of the campaign in Michigan on Saturday, a must-win state for Democrats who are seeking to restore the 'blue wall' of the Midwest. It includes Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin – states that traditionally voted for Democrats but that Trump won in 2016, putting him in the White House.
First they appeared in Flint where they both spoke in a high school parking lot, earning a rage tweet from Air Force One as Trump flew between his first and second rallies in Pennsylvania.
Then the two stopped for an unannounced address to Democratic volunteers in the affluent Detroit suburb of Bloomfield Hills, before the rally in Detroit's Belle Isle Casino, with Stevie Wonder performing as the warm-up act.
'Guess what Mr President, I'm coming for you,' Biden said to cheers from the crowd in Detroit.
Obama, meanwhile, accused Trump of not caring about his supporters by holding massive rallies during the coronavirus pandemic in which more than 9 million Americans have been affected.
Old team back together: Barack Obama introduced Joe Biden on stage in Detroit as the two campaigned together in a state which Hillary Clinton lost by just over 10,000 votes
Passing on the mantle: Donald Trump introduced Joe Biden as he pleaded with Detroit voters to get out and back his former vice-president
Vote for Joe: Barack Obama came to Detroit to push for a turnout from African-American Democratic voters who turned out twice for him but stayed at home for Hillary Clinton
Rally audience: More people than usual were at the event - a reflection of how much value the Biden campaign is putting on Detroit and how important it believes an appearance by Barack Obama can be
Mockery: Barack Obama poked fun repeatedly at Donald Trump, saying of his placing a premium on large crowds: 'Did no one come to his birthday party when he was a kid? Was he traumatized?'
Contrast to Joe Biden: Just after Barack Obama mocked him, Donald Trump held exactly the sort of rally the former president was poking fun at him for, with a massive crowd gathered around the stage at Pittsburgh-Butler Airport, the third of his four Pennsylvania rallies Saturday
Relying on Michigan: Democrats believe the path to the White House runs through the state - with Detroit critical to their hopes of Joe Biden winning the White House
On stage: Joe Biden was introduced by Barack Obama just as the sun set over Detroit
Picture time: Barack Obama got an enthusiastic reception in Detroit
Supporters: Barack Obama and Joe Biden had one young fan without a mask in the audience - but the rest appeared to be following public health rules
Halloween message: After the 2016 upset in Michigan, where Hillary Clinton did not campaign in the closing days of the election, Joe Biden and Barack Obama went to Detroit to plead for votes
Second rally: Barack Obama took the stage at the Belle Isle Casino in Detroit for his early evening joint appearance with Joe Biden
Halloween: One Biden supporter managed to find a suitable mask for October 3 as Stevie Wonder played
Get out the vote effort: Stevie Wonder performed for a drive-in rally at Belle Isle Casino in Detroit. Joe Biden's campaign see enthusing the city's African-American voters as critical - and where Hillary Clinton failed in 2016
'Some of the places he's holding rallies have seen new spikes after he leaves. He's going around having events, big events, no masks, no protective gear, no precautions,' Obama said of the president's rallies.
He even took aim at Trump's border wall, which was the president's main promise of the 2016 campaign.
'This administration was building a wall to keep us in by bungling this pandemic,' he said.
The former president spoke at drive-in rallies where people honked and cheered from the cars. The Biden campaign requires supporters to wear masks and socially distance, unlike the Trump campaign, which packs in supporters and lets them choose whether or not to cover their face.
'There was just a study by Stanford University, that just came out, showing thousands of people are likely to have gotten sick because of these rallies he's holding. What is his obsession, by the way, with crowd size,' he said. 'He's always worried that this is the one measure he has of success. He's still worried about his inauguration proud being smaller than mine. It really bugs him he talked about, he's still talking about.'
The Stanford University study that Obama referred to examined the impact of 18 Trump rallies held between June 20 and September 30 by comparing spread of the virus after each rally to parts of the country that didn't have such events.
It found that Trump's rallies may have caused some 30,000 coronavirus infections and more than 700 deaths.
Two of Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden's granddaughters Maisy Biden, second from left, and Natalie Biden, left, offer halloween candy to members of the media as they arrive at New Castle Airport in New Castle, Del., Saturday after Biden held rallies in Flint, Mich. and Detroit with former President Barack Obama
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump waves as he steps off Air Force One upon arrival Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., as he returns from campaign rallies in Pennsylvania
Obama mocked Trump's 'superspreader' rallies. Pictured are supporters watching as US President Donald Trump speak during a rally at Williamsport Regional Airport in Montoursville, Pennsylvania on October 31, 2020
The former president made took several shots at his successor that are sure to raise Trump's ire, including poking fun at the president's obsession with crowds. 'Does he have nothing better to worry about?,' Obama said during a drive-in rally in Detroit. 'Did no one come to his birthday party when he was a kid? Was he traumatized?' Pictures is Trump supporters rally on Halloween during the last weekend before the presidential election day in Beverly Hills
Audience: One supporter wore a Joe Biden face to show his support for the Democratic candidate at the drive-in rally
Old theme song: Stevie Wonder performed Signed, Sealed, Delivered for the rally, which was Barack Obama's campaign theme tune
Fans: A group of Biden supporters got into the music as Stevie Wonder performed in his native Motown for Joe Biden - with Barack Obama joining the rally
Drive-in rally: The format has become the staple of the Biden campaign to ensure social distancing
Motown icon: Stevie Wonder, who was born in Saginaw and brought up in Detroit, is one of biggest surviving names of the golden era of Motown - and seen by Democrats as a way to motivate African-American voters to get out for Joe Biden in the city
'That woman from Michigan': State governor Gretchen Whitmer spoke before Barack Obama and mocked her nickname from Donald Trump after walking out to Big Gretch, a song by local rapper Gmac Cash
Obama pivoted between getting in attacks at Trump and pointing out the differences between the president and Biden.
'Trump only cares about feeding his ego. Joe cares about keeping you safe and your family safe and getting this country moving again,' he said.
'This is not a game. This is not a contest of just calling each other names. This is not a sporting event. This is life or death,' he said.
'I understand this is a president who wants full credit for the account economy he inherited and zero blame for the pandemic he ignored. But the job doesn't work that way,' he added.
Obama was greeted with honks, shouts and cheers from the Detroit crowd, where he and Stevie Wonder joined Biden for a campaign rally.
He could do no wrong – even halfway through his remarks when his microphone went off.
'The mic needs Obamacare,' one supporter yelled as the former president waited for it to be fixed.
He also interacted with the crowd while he waited. When one asked him where Michelle Obama was, he responded: 'Michelle's at home, she says hi.'
Obama has stepped up his appearances for Biden in the run up to the election. He'll be in Georgia on Monday.
'We miss you,' yelled one supporter in Detroit.
'I miss you too. That's why I came back,' Obama said in response.
He made it clear what was at stake on November 3.
'Three days Detroit. Three days until the most important election of our lifetimes,' he said. 'And that includes mine, which was pretty important.'
Biden, meanwhile, mocked Trump for his hair and for calling himself a 'stable genius.'
'He is a, I think he said, perfect, physical specimen,' he said. He went on to poke fun at Trump for writing off $70,000 for his hair in his taxes.
'Maybe that's why he thought he was able to write off $70,000 on his taxes on a special haircare person,' Biden said.
'I hardly have any hair, but I'll tell you what man, I'd rather have what I have,' he added.
The speeches came in Detroit after Obama came out swinging earlier against Trump in his first joint appearance with Joe Biden on the campaign trail, in Flint, Michigan.
Biden came running out to meet Obama after the former president introduced him to the crowd as the cars at the drive-in rally honked and supporters cheered. He wore a black face mask he removed to speak to the crowd.
Obama and Biden attempted to maintain social distancing during their event, but came close at the end even leaning in like they were going to bump elbows, but Biden reached over to pat Obama's shoulder instead. The two stood next to each other as they waved to the crowd.
Obama was wearing his face mask but Biden had forgotten his. He had taken it off to speak and returned to the podium to put it on so the two could walk off stage together.
As they walked back into the building behind the rally location, Obama gave Biden a pat on the back.
Obama used his speech to tear into Trump - while Biden sought to use the feel-good nostalgia for Democrats evoked by Obama when he spoke.
'It kind of reminds you how good it can be, doesn't it, listening to him,' Biden said. 'It reminds me of when we can be when you have a president of character, a president respected around the world.'
In his speech the former president attacked his successor's handling of the coronavirus pandemic, claimed Trump wants to let America get COVID, mocked his obsession with crowd size, called his policies 'racist,' and said Trump would lose people's jobs. 'They're trying to bamboozle you,' Obama warned the crowd in Flint of the Trump administration.
After the two spoke they caught up in the high school gym at the venue - where Obama took a basketball and dropped a three-pointer from the right of the court and walked off, taking off his mask to grin and say: 'That's what I do.'
Trump himself was starting a four-rally swing across Pennsylvania as Obama spoke, with a small rally in Newtown in the east of the state before three more events in the state, which he sees as critical to his path to a second term.
He tweeted angrily from Air Force One in response, blaming Obama and Biden for poisoned water in Flint, saying the notorious contamination happened 'on their watch.'
In fact the lead poisoning happened when an emergency city manager appointed by Republican Rick Snyder switched the city's water supply to water from Lake Huron, introducing lead into the supply at dangerous levels.
But Snyder, who apologized repeatedly for the crisis, is endorsing Biden.
Elbow bump: Barack Obama offered Joe Biden his elbow at the end of the former vice-president's speech. Biden had to run back to the lectern for his mask after celebrating with Obama
This guy: Barack Obama gave Joe Biden a direct personal endorsement with the campaign engagement, their first joint appearance on the trail
Pat on the back: Joe Biden gave Barack Obama a pat on the back as he finished his speech and the two men appeared together on stage in Flint
Together on the trail: Barack Obama and Joe Biden appeared for a joint event in Flint, Michigan, their first joint appearance of the campaign, with the former president praising his vice-president and tearing in to Donald Trump's record on COVID
Praise: Barack Obama applauded Joe Biden as the Democratic candidate ended his speech
Reaction: Trump tweeted angrily from Air Force One about his predecessor campaigning for Joe Biden. Rick Snyder is a Republican who apologized repeatedly for the Flint water poisoning - but is now endorsing Biden, giving Trump an opening to attack
No mask: As the two were about to leave the stage, Joe Biden realized he did not have his mask on and appeared ot look for it among his notes
Got it: Joe Biden had to go back to the lectern when he realized he was maskless, found it in a pocket and held it up
Handover: Joe Biden walks on stage after being introduced by Barack Obama - with the two carefully keeping their distance
Done his part: Barack Obama left the stage after introducing Joe Biden and using a lengthy speech to tear into Donald Trump
Fired up: Barack Obama gets on stage to campaign with Joe Biden for the first time, at a high school in Flint, Michigan
Stumping for Joe: Barack Obama took the stage to praise Joe Biden's character - and excoriate Donald Trump's handling of the COVID crisis
Enthusiastic reception: When one woman shouted 'I love you,' Obama replied 'I love you too - now put that mask back on.'
Thanks to Barack: Joe Biden paid tribute to his former boss as he spoke in Flint
Backing for Joe: Barack Obama said his former vice president Biden will help America heal of COVID and recover from economic devastation
Mockery: Barack Obama went after Donald Trump's performance in office saying: 'COVID COVID COVID – he's complaining. He's jealous of COVID media coverage,' he said as coronavirus cases are on the rise across the country, hitting more than 9 million infections.
On his way: Barack Obama went to a high school in Flint for his appearance with Biden. Flint's African-American Democratic voters did not turn out in enough numbers for Hillary Clinton to bear Donald Trump in 2016
This is auto country: Barack Obama boasted about his and Joe Biden's record in the wake of the 2008 crisis which drove Ford and GM to the verge of bankruptcy
Rival campaign: As Barack Obama attacked his successor's record, Donald Trump was on the trail in Pennsylvania speaking in Newtown, in the east of the state to a small rally
Three points: Barack Obama took a passing basketball, scored a three-pointer from the right of the court, picked up his coffee then took down his mask to say: 'That's what I do!'
After the event, Barack Obama tweeted this picture from the high school gym with a Halloween message
Gang back together: Barack Obama and Joe Biden got together in the gym after speaking in Flint, Michigan
In his speech Obama mentioned his wife Michelle, one of the most popular Democrats in the country, and said they agreed it would be a relief to no longer have to think about Trump.
'This is a big benefit. Michelle and I were talking about this over dinner the other day, you're not gonna have to think about them every day. You're not gonna have to argue with your family about him every day. It won't be so exhausting,' he said.
Obama, in his introduction of Biden, touted his strength of character, giving a personal description of his former vice president.
'Joe Biden is my brother. I love Joe Biden and he will be a great president,' he said.
'That sense of decency and empathy. The belief in hard work and family and faith, the belief that everybody counts, that's who Joe is,' Obama said.
'I can tell you that the presidency doesn't change who you are. It shows who you are,' he said.
He attacked Trump's leadership, saying it led to racism in the country and brought out the worst in people.
'There are consequences to his actions. This is not just a joke. It's not funny, those actions embolden other people to be mean and defensive and racist,' Obama said.
Obama then pivoted to attack President Donald Trump, using the attack lines he has dropped in his previous appearances for Biden in Pennsylvania and Florida.
'You know, I said this before - I never thought Donald Trump would embrace my vision, I understood he didn't agree with my policies, but I did hope for the country's sake that he might show some interest in the job,' he said.
'He hasn't shown any interest in doing the work, or helping anybody but himself and his friends, or treating the presidency as anything more than a reality show to give him the attention that he craves,' he said.
He attacked Trump's handling of the coronavirus' pandemic, an area where voters have given Trump low marks.
'COVID COVID COVID – he's complaining. He's jealous of COVID media coverage,' he said as coronavirus cases are on the rise across the country, hitting more than 9 million infections.
'And now he's accusing doctors of profiting off this pandemic. Think about that. He said this just yesterday said doctors are overblowing it because they're gonna make money off, doctors, he cannot fathom. He does not understand the notion that somebody would risk their life to save others without trying to make a buck,' he said.
'Now they might as well be saying let America get COVID,' Obama said of the Trump administration.
'Cases wouldn't be reaching new record highs across the country, some of the places he owes rallies have even seen new spikes after he leaves town,' he said.
He mocked President Trump's obsession with crowd size and the president's repeated claim the crowds at his inauguration were bigger than the crowds at Obama's, despite photo comparisons showing differently.
'What is his obsession, by the way, with crowd size?,' he said. 'He's always worried that this is the one measure he has of success.'
'He's still worried about his inauguration proud being smaller than mine. It really bugs him. He's still talking about that,' he said. 'Does he have nothing better to worry about? Did no one come to his birthday party when he was a kid? Was he traumatized?'
Obama attacked Trump's handling of the crisis and compared it to what Biden would do.
'Tweeting it the TV doesn't fix things, making stuff up doesn't make people's lives better,' he said.
'You gotta have a plan. You've got to put in the work,' he said. 'And along with the experience to get things done, Joe Biden has concrete plans and policies that will turn our vision of a better fairer stronger country into reality.'
He pointed out he and Biden fought for the auto industry – which is huge in Michigan – during the economic recession. He said Trump has lost manufacturing jobs.
'The economic damage inflicted by botching the pandemic response means he'll be the only president since Herbert Hoover, to actually lose jobs,' Obama said of Trump. 'Herbert Hoover. That's a long time ago.'
The crowd greeted Obama with cheers and shouts.
'Three days Flint. Three days until the most important election of your lifetime,' Obama said in his remarks before Biden joined him on stage.
'All jobs are on the line our health care is on the line whether or not we get this pandemic under control is on the line,' he said.
Campaign stop: Joe Biden and Barack Obama spoke together in Bloomfield Hills, one of Detroit's wealthiest suburbs and the former home of Aretha Franklin, on their way to a drive-in rally with Stevie Wonder in Detroit
Affluent suburban appeal: The Biden campaign is hoping to juice turnout in Detroit's affluent suburbs as well as the predominantly African-American city itself
Speaking up for Joe: Barack Obama spoke up for his former running mate as they stopped at Birmingham Unitarian Church in Bloomfield Hills
Picture time: A supporter gets a photo of Joe Biden and Barack Obama together in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Family support: Joe Biden brought his granddaughter Maisy with him to greet supporters in Bloomfield Hill. Her father is Hunter Biden
All together: Barack Obama speaks up for Joe Biden as his former vice president puts his arm round his granddaughter Maisy
Retail politics: Joe Biden and Barack Obama spoke in front of trucks with campaign merchandise as they pleaded with supporters to vote and encourage their family and friends to do the same
Socially distanced: Unlike a Trump rally there was no crush at the Birmingham Unitarian Church in Bloomfield Hills, MI
Brought along some competition: One Biden supporter had figure versions of the former president and vice president as the real versions spoke
Got some support: This was the scene in the parking lot of the Birmingham Unitarian Church in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Drive-in rally: Joe Biden and Barack Obama were greeted by supporters in cars, all wearing masks - unlike a Trump rally
Parking lot rally: The Biden campaign used Northwestern High School's lot for the event, with supporters showing their backing for the former vice-president
Getting out the vote: The drive-in rally has become Biden's method of reaching supporters without breaking social distancing
Roadside support: Supporters were on show outside the high school in Flint where the former president and would-be next president were appearing together - including one in Halloween costume
Love for Obama: The former president is the biggest star draw on the Democratic cmapaign trail - although after the first rally in Flint, he and Biden were appearing in Detroit with Stevie Wonder to drive up African-American enthusiasm
Family: Joe Biden brought granddaughters Natalie (left), whose father was the late Beau Biden, and Maisy (right) whose father is Hunter Biden
Landing: Joe Biden and granddaughters Natalie (left) and Maisy (right) land in Flint Bishop Airport before the drive-in rally with Barack Obama
Campaign clothing: Maisy Biden wore a Biden 2020 top as she got of the campaign plane with her grandfather and cousin Natalie
'I love your masks,' Obama told the crowd, who yelled out they loved him.
Biden in his speech compared life in America under Obama to life in America under Trump.
'You went through eight years without one single trace of scandal, not one single traces scandal,' he told Obama.
He also addressed fears among some Democrats that Trump would use legal cases to try and stop mail-in ballots from being counted.
'I don't care how hard Donald Trump tries. There's nothing - let me say it again - there's nothing that he can do to stop the people in this nation from voting in overwhelming numbers and taking back this democracy,' Biden said.
Biden, talking about President Trump claiming, falsely, that doctors make more money when patients die from COVID-19, said: 'What in the hell is wrong with this man? Excuse my language.'
'That may have been there because he doesn't do anything for other than for money,' he added.
'I will never raise the white flag of surrender. We're gonna beat this virus or we're gonna get it under control. And the first step to doing that is beating Donald Trump,' he said.
He said Trump likes to portray himself as a 'macho man' but 'when's the last time you heard about a president of the United States literally being laughed at by world leaders.'
He called Trump Vladimir Putin's 'puppy' and seemed to indicate he'd like to have punched Trump if they had been in high school together.
'When you were in high school wouldn't you have liked to take a shot?,' he said.
He also listed the long line of retired members of the military who have endorsed him.
'We have to support our military and get rid of Trump,' he said.
After the Flint event, the two men drove to Detroit - about 90 minutes away - for their next rally.
On the way, Obama and Biden stopped in Bloomfield Hills, one of Detroit's wealthiest suburbs and the former home of Aretha Franklin, on their way to a drive-in rally with Stevie Wonder in Detroit.
They addressed a canvass kickoff Birmingham Unitarian Church, where about three dozen people were socially distanced outside in the church parking lot, in front of a series of tables set up with canvassing materials.
Obama thanked them.
'This kind of grassroots work and organizing makes all the difference, especially in an election like this, with the stakes so high. We know change is possible, but it's not guaranteed,' he said.
Biden said volunteers can make or break a campaign.
'It makes a gigantic difference, your volunteering. That's how you win campaigns, every campaign that I've ever been in that I've won it's been the folks who've been doing everything from making the phone calls, to sending out the petitions to knocking on doors,' he said. 'I mean you make a gigantic difference.'
Obama and Biden are holding drive-in rallies in Flint and Detroit, predominantly black cities where strong turnout will be key for a Biden victory on November 3. R&B legend Stevie Wonder will join them in Detroit.
Michigan remains a top target for Biden as he seeks to rebuild the Democrats' 'blue wall' in the Midwest, which includes Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Obama won those three states in his presidential bids but they went for Trump in 2016, handing him the White House.
Biden leads Trump in Michigan by 6.5 points, according to the RealClearPolitics average of polls in the state.
Trump will be in Michigan on Saturday and Sunday for multiple campaign stops. He'll hold his final rally of the campaign in Grand Rapids, as he did in 2016.
Early voting is already underway in Michigan. As of Tuesday, more than 3.1 million voters have requested absentee ballots and about 2.1 million had returned them, according to the Michigan Secretary of State's office.
