Michelle Obama confronts heckler at a fundraiser

UPDATED: After her speech was interrupted, Obama reportedly threatened to leave if the heckler didn't

Published June 5, 2013 1:28PM (EDT)

Michelle Obama was reportedly not amused when her speech at a Democratic fundraiser was interrupted by an LGBT activist calling for President Obama to pass an executive order on anti-discrimination, and threatened to leave the event if the heckler didn't.

The Washington Post reports that Obama went and faced Ellen Sturtz, the heckler, eye-to-eye, and Sturtz later said she was "taken aback" by the confrontation:

“One of the things that I don’t do well is this,” [Obama] said to applause from most of the guests, according to a White House transcript. “Do you understand?”

A pool report from a reporter in the room said Obama “left the lectern and moved over to the protester.” The pool report quoted Obama as saying: “Listen to me or you can take the mic, but I’m leaving. You all decide. You have one choice.”

 


By Jillian Rayfield

Jillian Rayfield is an Assistant News Editor for Salon, focusing on politics. Follow her on Twitter at @jillrayfield or email her at jrayfield@salon.com.

MORE FROM Jillian Rayfield


Related Topics ------------------------------------------

Anti-gay Discrimination Democrats Discrimination Gay Rights Lgbt Michelle Obama