Obamas call on Americans to back ‘new chapter’ with Harris

They called on Democrats to get out and vote and said November's election was going to be very close.

In Summary

• In her speech Michelle Obama mocked Donald Trump directly, asking if he knew he was running for a "black job", referring to being president.

• The Republican candidate has come under fire for saying migrants are taking "black jobs" in the US.

Former US President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama
Former US President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama
Image: BBC

Former US President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama have given impassioned endorsements of Kamala Harris on the second night of the Democratic National Convention.

They urged voters to back a "new chapter' with her in back-to-back speeches that electrified the audience in a packed arena in Chicago.

Both called on Democrats to get out and vote and said November's election was going to be very close.

Polls suggest Harris has a slight lead on Donald Trump nationally, but the US election will be decided in a handful of key swing states.

In her speech Michelle Obama mocked Donald Trump directly, asking if he knew he was running for a "black job", referring to being president.

The Republican candidate has come under fire for saying migrants are taking "black jobs" in the US.

Meanwhile, protests outside the Israeli consulate in Chicago turned tense, with scuffles breaking out as as demonstrators marched towards police clad in riot gear.

The four-day convention formally anoints Harris as the Democratic presidential contender; Donald Trump had his convention last month after surviving an assassination attempt.

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