During a stop in Pittsburgh, former President Barack Obama urged Black Americans to back Vice President Kamala Harris as they had for him in 2008 and 2012.
Obama visited a campaign office in the city before speaking with Sen. Robert P. Casey Jr. later that day.
He pointed out a lack of energy among African Americans in support of the current Democratic nominee.
"We haven't seen the same excitement and turnout in our communities as when I was running," he said.
He directly addressed Black men, saying, "When you have a choice this clear... someone who understands your struggles... you should be all in."
Obama contrasted Harris with Donald Trump, implying Trump has shown disregard for Black communities.
He asked why people would consider sitting out the election when the choice was so stark.
Some people, Obama said, are hesitant to support Harris, possibly because she's a woman.
On Fox News, Jesse Watters said Obama’s comments show Harris’s popularity has hit a ceiling.
Vernon Jones, a former Democrat, criticized Obama, claiming he was being used to push Harris onto Black voters.
Conservative Benny Johnson called the remarks "sickening," accusing Obama of stirring racial politics.
President Biden also faced backlash in 2020 when he said Black voters unsure about him "ain’t Black."
Trump campaign spokesman Kush Desai said Democrats must be in trouble if they need Obama to rally voters.
Desai added that Obama's visit wouldn’t convince Pennsylvanians to back four more years of Democratic policies.