First Lady Michelle Obama made a thinly veiled reference Monday to Donald Trump’s candidacy during her commanding Democratic National Convention address, imploring voters to reject the notion that America wasn’t already great.
“I wake up every morning in a house that was built by slaves,” Obama said. “And I watch my daughters, two beautiful, intelligent black young women playing with their dogs on the white House lawn.”
Obama didn’t mention Trump by name in her speech, but made it clear that she thought someone “steady and measured and well-informed” needed to occupy the White House.
She said that children watch “every word we utter, every action we take” as First Lady and President. In a rather direct reference to Trump leading the birther movement, Obama said she has taught her children, Malia and Sasha, to ignore the people who question their father’s faith and citizenship.
The First Lady also said she taught them to ignore the “hateful” language they hear on TV from politicians that she said doesn’t represent the country. Obama said she thought Hillary Clinton was the only choice for President to ensure the success of future generations.
“And because of Hillary Clinton, my daughters and all our sons and daughters now take for granted that a woman can be president of the United States,” she said later in her speech, with emotion in her voice.
“Don’t let anyone ever tell you that this country is not great,” she continued. “That somehow we need to make it great again. Because this right now is the greatest country on Earth.”
Watch her full speech:
