At virtual graduation, Obama says some leaders ‘aren’t even pretending to be in charge’

Former President Barack Obama did not hold back in a virtual graduation speech Saturday afternoon.

Speaking to graduates of historically black colleges and universities, Obama criticized some leaders’ response to the coronavirus.

“More than anything, this pandemic has fully, finally torn back the curtain on the idea that the folks in charge know what they’re doing,” Obama said. “A lot of them aren’t even pretending to be in charge. ”

Obama has been vocal this month about how the government has handled the pandemic. Last week, he said President Donald Trump’s handling of the virus has been “an absolute chaotic disaster.”

There have been nearly 1.5 million confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the United States and more than 88,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University. Both numbers are the most of any country in the world.

Obama also told the graduates the timing of their graduations is “not ideal.”

“Let’s be honest. A disease like this just spotlights the underlying inequalities and extra burdens that black communities have historically had to deal with in this country,” he said. “We see it in the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on our communities, just as we see it when a black man goes for a jog, and some folks feel like they can stop and question and shoot him if he doesn’t submit to their questioning.”

The “Show Me Your Walk, HBCU Edition” virtual graduation was hosted by comedian Kevin Hart. It featured appearances by California Sen. Kamala Harris and several celebrities, including Common and Steve Harvey.

Obama will speak again Saturday night in a virtual graduation for high schoolers.

This story was originally published May 16, 2020 at 2:15 PM with the headline "At virtual graduation, Obama says some leaders ‘aren’t even pretending to be in charge’."