Former President Barack Obama endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris in a video shared to X.
“Earlier this week, Michelle and I called our friend @KamalaHarris,” Obama wrote. “We told her we think she’ll make a fantastic President of the United States, and that she has our full support. At this critical moment for our country, we’re going to do everything we can to make sure she wins in November. We hope you’ll join us.”
The video showed Harris walking with a cell phone, speaking to Barack and Michelle Obama.
Michelle Obama said she “can’t have this phone call without saying to my girl, Kamala, I am proud of you. This is going to be historic.”
“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 says.
“Oh my goodness. Michelle, Barack, this means so much to me. I’m looking forward to doing this with the two of you, Doug and I both. And getting out there, being on the road,” Harris replied. “But most of all, I just want to tell you that the words you have spoken and the friendship that you have given over all these years mean more than I can express. So thank you both. It means so much.”
“And we’re gonna have some fun with this, too, aren’t we?” Harris added.
The former first lady shared the video to her own X profile, writing, “I’m so proud of my girl, Kamala. Barack and I are so excited to endorse her as the Democratic nominee because of her positivity, sense of humor, and ability to bring light and hope to people all across the country. We’ve got your back, @KamalaHarris!”
Harris also shared the video, noting that it “means so much” to have the Obamas’ endorsements.
All three posts were shared in the same minute, at 5:01 a.m. ET. At another moment in the video, Harris is seen putting the phone on speaker before again raising it to her ear.
A microphone is also attached to Harris’ blazer.
The video was criticized on social media, with one user calling the video the “most phony cringe thing I’ve seen on social media in years.”
Worship singer and conservative activist Sean Feucht said, “It’s impossible to hide how fake this all is.”
Obama also issued a written statement of endorsement: “We couldn’t be more excited for her — or more thrilled to endorse Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for President of the United States.”
He added that “Kamala has more than a resume.”
“She has the vision, the character, and the strength that this critical moment demands,” he wrote. “There is no doubt in our mind that Kamala Harris has exactly what it takes to win this election and deliver for the American people. At a time when the stakes have never been higher, she gives us all reason to hope.”
Obama initially refrained from endorsing Harris. Following Biden’s campaign suspension, the former president wrote, “We will be navigating uncharted waters in the days ahead. But I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges.”
The statement came after numerous Democratic leaders had already issued statements in support of Harris.
