Michelle Obama speech: Kelly Clarkson silences follower who 'didn't like part about White House being built by slaves'

'Pretty certain the slaves that built it didn't like it either'

Michelle Obama’s rousing speech at the Democratic National Convention has become one of her most defining moments as First Lady of the United States.

A part of her inspiring address which struck a chord across the US came when Obama highlighted the history inherent within the White House that makes her family’s place within it particularly significant.

"That is the story of this country," she said. "The story that has brought me to the stage tonight. The story of generations of people who felt the lash of bondage, the shame of servitude, the sting of segregation, who kept on striving, and hoping, and doing what needed to be done," she said.

“I wake up every morning in a house that was built by slaves. And I watch my daughters - two beautiful intelligent black young women - play on the White House lawn."

Obama’s 15-minute speech was the high point of the convention and praise for the First Lady from the President became the most shared message on Twitter.

Her words continue to resonate around the world, but the importance of her message appeared to be lost on some of listeners. Kelly Clarkson was one of a number of people to celebrate her speech when one user responded: “I’m not sure I liked the part where she said the White House was built by slaves.”

Clarkson replied:

The user has since deleted their message.

Fox News host Bill O’Reilly’s “tone deaf” response has also elicited anger after he suggested the slaves who built the White House were “well fed” and cared for.

“Slaves that worked there were well fed and had decent lodgings provided by the government, which stopped hiring slave labour in 1802,” he said.

“However, the feds did not forbid subcontractors from using slave labour. So, Michelle Obama is essentially correct in citing slaves as builders of the White House, but there were others working as well. Got it all? There will be a quiz.”