As the famous line in the movie “The Godfather” said.
Keep you friends close, but your enemies closer.
Perhaps that’s exactly what former president Donald Trump just did during this week’s Democratic National Convention.
And his latest move just floored his critics and left them speechless.
Last night Trump offered rare praise to former President Barack Obama, an action that was unexpected given their ideological differences.
In surprising comments to CNN, Trump said, “I like him,” referring to the Illinois Democrat:
“I think he’s a nice gentleman, but he was very weak on trade… I happen to like him. I respect him and I respect his wife,” Trump said.
Check it out:
"I respect him and I respect his wife" — oddly soft comments from Trump to CNN today on Obama, who he viciously defamed to fuel his political rise pic.twitter.com/7ExpvrJNVt
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 20, 2024
The move left CNN speechless.
Shortly after Trump’s comments, CNN reporter Jamie Gangel wondered aloud, “Who is that man?”
CNN anchor John King also appeared surprised and contrasted Trump’s comments with an interview he held with the then-first-time candidate the day Obama released his Hawaiian birth certificate amid pressure from Trump.
Unfortunately, the civility didn’t last long.
Later in the evening, Obama drew roaring laughter from the crowd during his speech when he appeared to make an obscene hand gesture while referring to Trump’s purported obsession with crowd sizes.
“Here’s a 78-year-old billionaire who has not stopped whining about his problems since he rode down his golden escalator nine years ago,” Obama said “It has been a constant stream of gripes and grievances that’s actually been getting worse now that he is afraid of losing to Kamala.”
Former first lady Michelle Obama also jabbed at Trump, referencing how he has said illegal immigration has disproportionately affected minorities. Trump said in the June debate with President Biden that the influx of migrants is “taking Black jobs.”
Michelle Obama asked the DNC crowd who would want to tell Trump that “the job he’s currently seeking might be one of those Black jobs.”
Was Trump’s sudden praise of Obama gamesmanship? Or was it genuine?
What we do know is that Trump is gearing up to face Vice President Kamala Harris in a heated election, and that perhaps Trump may be trying to play to Democrats are who are less-than-thrilled with the prospect of Harris being elected president.