Former President Donald Trump is defending his use of personal attacks in the 2024 presidential campaign by pointing to recent harsh criticisms sent his way by former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama during the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago.

Speaking at a rally in North Carolina on Wednesday, Trump addressed the Obamas’ comments, flipped their approach back on them, and indicated that their personal remarks justify his continued use of similar tactics, a take that comes amid advice from his Republican allies to concentrate on policy rather than insults, as Fox News reports.

At the DNC, Michelle Obama criticized Trump, calling his rhetoric “petty” and “unpresidential,” while former President Obama painted Trump as a leader obsessed with grievances.

Trump, however, used these remarks as a rationale for his approach, questioning the wisdom of focusing solely on policy issues when his opponents, in his view, are not.

Obama Critiques Fuel Trump’s Approach

Michelle Obama, in her speech, urged against “going small,” describing it as “unhealthy” and beneath the dignity of the presidency. She accused Trump of resorting to “misogynistic, racist lies” instead of presenting “real ideas and solutions.”

Meanwhile, Barack Obama took a different angle, characterizing Trump as a “78-year-old billionaire” who has been "whining about his problems" since his entrance into politics.

Obama also mocked what he said were Trump's increasing grievances, attributing them to his fear of losing to Vice President Kamala Harris. The former president mentioned what he described as Trump’s “childish nicknames, crazy conspiracy theories, and a weird obsession with crowd sizes” as evidence of the former president's insecurities.

Trump Mocks Advice to Stay on Policy

Trump, reacting to these criticisms, shared his thoughts with the rally audience. He imitated the advice he receives from Republican allies: “Sir, please stick to policy, don’t get personal.” The former president questioned the logic of this advice, considering the personal nature of the attacks made against him at the DNC.

During the rally, Trump asked his supporters directly, “Should I get personal, or should I not get personal?” The crowd’s response was overwhelmingly in favor of personal attacks, signaling that at least among his base, this strategy is popular.

Allies Push for a Policy-Centric Campaign

Despite Trump’s insistence on continuing his personal attacks, there has been a significant push from his top advisers and allies to pivot towards a policy-focused campaign.

Sources close to Trump’s campaign have indicated that they are urging him to highlight policy issues, particularly in branding Kamala Harris as an ultra-liberal opponent, rather than attacking her character.

Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has been particularly vocal in his advice to Trump. McCarthy emphasized the importance of making the race about policies and not personalities.

He pointed out the limited time available to make a strong case to the electorate and urged Trump to focus on substantive issues.

Nikki Haley’s Strategic Advice

Nikki Haley, a former U.N. ambassador and one of Trump’s rivals in the Republican primaries, echoed this sentiment. Haley advised Trump to avoid personal attacks and instead focus on the issues that matter most to the American people. According to Haley, the campaign will not succeed if it centers on crowd sizes or personal attacks on Kamala Harris’s identity or intelligence. She urged Trump to treat voters with respect and focus on policy discussions.

At the rally, Trump mockingly recounted the advice he received: “You’ll win it on the border. You’ll win it with inflation. You’ll win it with your great military that you built.” This advice, however, seemed to contrast sharply with the crowd’s openness to his use of personal attacks.

Conclusion

In summary, Trump’s recent rally in North Carolina highlighted the tension within his campaign between focusing on policy and continuing with personal attacks.

Despite pressure from Republican allies like Kevin McCarthy and Nikki Haley to shift towards a more policy-centric approach, Trump remains committed to a more biting personal approach, citing the Obamas’ criticisms at the DNC as justification.

The upcoming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Trump will heed his advisers’ advice or continue to rely on the type of discussions that have become a hallmark of his campaign.