Former President Barack Obama speaks during the third night of the Democratic National Convention. Photo / AP
Former President Barack Obama speaks during the third night of the Democratic National Convention. Photo / AP
US President Donald Trump has fired off a series of angry tweets during Barack Obama's speech at the Democratic National Convention.
Tweeting in all-caps, Trump appeared to accuse Obama of "spying on his campaign", and claimed the former president "tried to get" Democratic nominee Joe Biden "not to run".
Obama started his speech to the convention with an extended attack on the man who replaced him in the White House – and a bit of a history lesson.
"As you've seen by now, this isn't a normal convention. It's not a normal time. So tonight, I want to talk as plainly as I can about the stakes in this election," Obama said.
"I'm in Philadelphia, where our Constitution was drafted and signed. It wasn't a perfect document. It allowed for the inhumanity of slavery, and failed to guarantee women – and even men who didn't own property – the right to participate in the political process.
"But embedded in this document was a north star that would guide generations. A system of representative government, a democracy, through which we could better realise our highest ideals.
"Through Civil War and bitter struggles, we improved this Constitution to include the voices of those who'd once been left out. And gradually, we made this country more just, and more equal, and more free.
"The one Constitutional office elected by all of the people is the presidency. So at a minimum, we should expect a president to feel a sense of responsibility for the safety and welfare of all 330 million of us. Regardless of what we look like, how we worship, who we love, how much money we have, or who we voted for.
President Obama slams President Trump: "For close to 4 years now, he has shown no interest in putting in the work... No interest in treating the presidency as anything but one more reality show that he can use to get the attention he craves." #DemConventionpic.twitter.com/sVF0H2OqEA
"We should also expect a president to be the custodian of this democracy. We should expect that, regardless of ego, ambition or political beliefs, the president will preserve, protect and defend the freedoms and ideals that so many Americans marched for, went to jail for, fought for and died for.
"I have sat in the Oval Office with both of the men who are running for president. I never expected that my successor would embrace my vision, or continue my policies. I did hope, for the sake of our country, that Donald Trump might show some interest in taking the job seriously. That he might come to feel the weight of the office, and discover some reverence for the democracy that had been placed in his care.
"But he never did. For close to four years now, he has shown no interest in putting in the work. No interest in finding common ground. No interest in using the awesome power of his office to help anyone but himself and his friends. No interest in treating the presidency as anything but one more reality show he can use to get the attention he craves.
"Donald Trump hasn't grown into the job, because he can't. And the consequences of that failure are severe – 170,000 Americans dead. Millions of jobs gone, while those at the top take in more than ever. Our worst impulses unleashed, our proud reputation around the world diminished, and our democratic institutions threatened like never before.
"I know that in times as polarised as these, most of you have already made up your mind. But maybe you're still not sure which candidate you'll vote for, or whether you'll vote at all. Maybe you're tired of the direction we're headed, but you can't see a better path yet, or you just don't know enough about the person who wants to lead us there."
Obama then transitioned into praise for Joe Biden.
Obama speaks during the third night of the Democratic National Convention. Photo / AP
Earlier, Trump stunned viewers by failing to condemn the fringe conspiracy theory group QAnon during today's White House media briefing.
"During the pandemic, the QAnon movement appears to be gaining a lot of followers. Can you talk about what you think about that, and what you have to say to people who are following this movement right now?" a reporter asked him.
"Well I don't know much about the movement, other than I understand they like me very much. Which I appreciate," Trump replied.
President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference at the White House. Photo / AP
"But I don't know much about the movement. I have heard that it is gaining in popularity, and from what I hear, these are people that – when they watch the streets of Portland … these are people that don't like what's going on in places like Portland, in places like Chicago, and New York, and other cities.
"And I've heard these are people that love our country. And they just don't like seeing it. So I don't know, really, anything about it, other than they do supposedly like me."
The reporter, NBC's Shannon Pettypiece, clarified that QAnon believes Trump is "secretly saving the world from this Satanic cult of paedophiles and cannibals".
"Well, I haven't heard that. But is that supposed to be a bad thing, or a good thing? You know," said Trump.
"If I can help save the world from problems, I'm willing to do it. I'm willing to put myself out there."
