Accepting an award at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s annual gala, Clinton did not refer to Donald Trump by name, but addressed Obama directly before an audience of thousands here in the Washington Convention Center, calling him “one of the best presidents our country has ever had,” even in the face of what she described as “hateful nonsense.”

“I know I speak for not just everyone in this room, but so many tens of millions of Americans: Mr. President, not only do we know you are an America, you’re a great American,” she said. “And you make us all proud to be Americans, too.

“As Michelle says,” Clinton added, paraphrasing the first lady’s speech at a campaign rally on Friday afternoon in Virginia, “when others go low, we go high.”