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.”

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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.

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Anti-gay Discrimination Democrats Discrimination Gay Rights Lgbt Michelle Obama