In a 15-minute address to the convention, the lawyer- turned-first lady proved to be the 'perfect Trump antidote', doing more than any governor or congressman to unite and fire up the party for November's presidential election in the face of another non-politician, Donald Trump, from the rival Republican camp.
The election of the first African American president, and now potentially the first woman president, were testament to the true America and a repudiation of all Trump stands for, she said, without taking his name.
"The story of generations of people who have felt the lash of bondage, the shame of servitude, the sting of segregation but who kept on striving and doing what needed to be done so that today I wake up every morning in a house that was built by slaves and I watch my daughters, two beautiful, intelligent black young women, playing with their dogs on the White House lawn."
"How we explain that when someone is cruel or acts like a bully, you don't stoop to their level. No, our motto is: 'When they go low, we go high'," she added.
Among the thousands of audience was former president Bill Clinton, who was caught on camera mouthing the word "wow" as Michelle delivered one of the most passionate speeches of the election year.
Not even Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders could quiet the shouts of his die-hard supporters - but Michelle did in what Obama called in a Twitter post as an "incredible speech by an incredible woman".
You’ve reached your limit of 5 free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Access to Exclusive Premium Stories
Over 30 subscriber-only stories daily, handpicked by our editors


Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share


Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor


Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements


Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app