First Lady Michelle Obama’s speech during a rally in Phoenix on Thursday (Oct. 20) was an outlet to make another case against the GOP candidate, Donald Trump, to Hillary Clinton supporters. This time, Mrs. Obama discussed the controversial remarks at the Oct. 19 debate, in which Trump refused to acknowledge whether he’d accept the results of the Nov. 8 election if he loses.
“When a presidential candidate threatens to ignore our voices and reject the outcome of this election, he is threatening the very idea of America itself,” she exclaimed to the crowd of nearly 7,000, according to NBC News.
“When you hear folks talking about a global conspiracy and saying this election is rigged, understand that they are trying to get you to stay home,” she continued. “They are trying to convince you that your vote doesn’t matter, that the outcome has already been decided and you shouldn’t even bother to make your voice heard.”
For several weeks, Trump has stood by his stance that the election is rigged against him since the margin between him and current frontrunner Mrs. Clinton continues to widen.
“You do not keep American democracy in suspense,” The First Lady said of Mr. Trump. Arizona is typically a Republican-leaning state, and she is hoping to change the tides in favor of Democrats this year. “Because, look, too many people have marched and protested and fought and died for this democracy.”