Trump stuns critics with praise for ‘nice gentleman’ Obama while predecessor slams him at DNC

Former President Donald Trump appeared to stun many of his critics Wednesday night after he offered rare praise to former President Barack Obama, an action that was unexpected given their ideological differences. 

In comments to CNN, Trump said, "I like him," referring to the Illinois Democrat:

"I think he’s a nice gentleman, but he was very weak on trade … I happen to like him. I respect him and I respect his wife," Trump said.

In an ensuing panel, CNN reporter Jamie Gangel wondered aloud, "Who is that man?"

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Meanwhile, CNN anchor John King also appeared surprised and contrasted Trump’s comments with an interview he held with the then-first-time candidate the day Obama released his Hawaiian birth certificate amid pressure from Trump.

Trump’s words, however, were later contrasted with Obama’s comments on the mogul during his Democratic National Convention speech later in the evening.

Obama drew roaring laughter from the crowd when he appeared to make an obscene hand gesture while referring to Trump’s purported obsession with crowd sizes.

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"Here’s a 78-year-old billionaire who has not stopped whining about his problems since he rode down his golden escalator nine years ago," Obama said "It has been a constant stream of gripes and grievances that’s actually been getting worse now that he is afraid of losing to Kamala."

"There’s the childish nicknames, the crazy conspiracy theories, this weird obsession with crowd sizes."

For her party, former first lady Michelle Obama also lobbed invective at Trump, referencing how the GOP nominee has said illegal immigration has disproportionately affected minorities. Trump said in the June debate with President Joe Biden that the influx of migrants is "taking Black jobs."

Michelle Obama asked the DNC crowd who would want to tell Trump that "the job he’s currently seeking might be one of those Black jobs."

When asked about the disparity, RNC Chairman Michael Whatley said that the DNC is no longer "Barack Obama’s Democrat Party."

"Kamala Harris is even more dangerously liberal. As California’s attorney general, Harris defied the Obama administration to allow law enforcement to ignore ICE detainers, and she has driven the party even further left by pushing to end private health insurance, impose the job-killing Green New Scam, and spearhead runaway wasteful spending that has driven inflation."

Charles Creitz is a reporter for Fox News Digital. 

He joined Fox News in 2013 as a writer and production assistant. 

Charles covers media, politics and culture for Fox News Digital.

Charles is a Pennsylvania native and graduated from Temple University with a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism. Story tips can be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..