According to Reuters, former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, have endorsed U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris for the upcoming presidential election.
The endorsement from the Obamas was made public on Friday, marking a pivotal moment in Harris' campaign. Barack Obama expressed his pride in endorsing Harris during a phone call, which was posted in an online video by the campaign. Harris, visibly moved, thanked the Obamas and expressed her excitement for the journey ahead.
"We called to say Michelle and I couldn't be prouder to endorse you and to do everything we can to get you through this election and into the Oval Office," Obama stated in the video.
The endorsement comes at a critical juncture as Harris begins to close the gap with Republican frontrunner Donald Trump, according to recent opinion polls. Harris, who would make history as the first female president if elected, has been actively campaigning to consolidate her position.
Michelle Obama, who remains a highly popular figure within the Democratic Party, has a favorability rating of 55% according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll. This is significantly higher than Harris' national approval rating of 37%.
Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Florida resort. This meeting followed Netanyahu's discussions with both Biden and Harris in Washington, reflecting ongoing diplomatic engagements amidst the U.S. election dynamics.
Harris recently took a strong stance on the Gaza conflict, urging Netanyahu to work towards a ceasefire. "It is time for this war to end," she said in a televised statement after their talks, highlighting the humanitarian toll on Palestinian civilians. Trump, however, criticized Harris' remarks as "disrespectful." He has also called for a swift resolution to the conflict, emphasizing the negative publicity Israel is facing.
The conflict in Gaza, which began on October 7 with an attack by Hamas militants, has led to significant casualties and a severe humanitarian crisis. Israel's retaliatory actions have resulted in over 39,000 deaths according to Gazan health authorities and have displaced much of the enclave's 2.3 million population.
The Biden administration has faced criticism from some Democrats for not exerting more pressure on Netanyahu to protect Palestinian civilians. This criticism underscores the complex balancing act the administration faces in managing international relations alongside domestic political challenges.
Trump's recent criticism of the Biden administration's handling of the Gaza conflict has added to the political discourse. He has argued for an immediate end to the hostilities, citing the adverse impact on Israel's international image.
In another development, Trump's former White House doctor, Ronny Jackson, has publicly contradicted FBI Director Christopher Wray regarding the details of an assassination attempt on Trump. Jackson stated there was no evidence of anything other than a bullet striking Trump's ear, challenging Wray's comments that the nature of the injury was unclear.
Trump's camp has maintained that it was a bullet, though no medical records have been released to substantiate this claim. This incident has added another layer of controversy to an already tumultuous political landscape.
The endorsement of Kamala Harris by Barack and Michelle Obama represents a major boost for her presidential campaign as she seeks to solidify her standing against Donald Trump. This endorsement follows President Joe Biden's decision to drop his reelection bid, highlighting the shifting dynamics within the Democratic Party. As Harris gains momentum, the ongoing Gaza conflict and Trump's recent activities continue to shape the political discourse. With significant support from the Obamas and the Democratic Party coalescing around her, Harris' bid for the presidency enters a crucial phase.
