Former United States President Barack Obama shared his disappointment with the outcome of the recent election, where President Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance secured victories. Despite his differences with the Republican winners on critical issues, Obama upheld the importance of the democratic process and acknowledged the peaceful transfer of power as a cornerstone of American democracy.
Taking to his social media account on X (formerly Twitter), Obama congratulated President Trump and Senator Vance, expressing the necessity of respecting election results. “Over the last few weeks and through Election Day, millions of Americans cast their votes – not just for president, but for leaders at every level. Now the results are in, and we want to congratulate President Trump and Senator Vance on their victory,” he stated.
Obama admitted that the result was not what he and his supporters had hoped for, given their significant differences with the Republican ticket on various issues. “This is obviously not the outcome we had hoped for,” Obama said, but he stressed that democracy means accepting outcomes, even when they aren’t in one’s favor.
Obama praised the campaigns of Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz, expressing admiration for their commitment to public service. “Michelle and I could not be prouder of Vice President Harris and Governor Walz – two extraordinary public servants who ran a remarkable campaign,” he remarked. Obama also extended his gratitude to the volunteers and staff who passionately supported these candidates, saying they poured their “heart and soul” into electing leaders they believed in.
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Reflecting on the election and the broader challenges facing America, Obama noted the recent years’ difficulties, from the COVID-19 pandemic to economic struggles, which he believes have shaped the political landscape. “America has been through a lot over the last few years – from a historic pandemic and price hikes resulting from the pandemic, to rapid change and the feeling a lot of folks have that, no matter how hard they work, treading water is the best they can do,” he explained.
In a call for unity, Obama urged Americans to listen to one another, emphasizing that the nation’s problems are solvable if people engage in dialogue and uphold democratic principles. “The good news is that these problems are solvable – but only if we listen to each other, and only if we abide by the core constitutional principles and democratic norms that made this country great,” he added.
Obama concluded with a powerful reminder of the importance of grace and understanding, even amid deep political divides. “In a country as big and diverse as ours, we won’t always see eye-to-eye on everything. But progress requires us to extend good faith and grace – even to people with whom we deeply disagree,” he said. “That’s how we’ve come this far, and it’s how we’ll keep building a country that is more fair and more just, more equal and more free.” He concluded.
