Speaking at a private Democratic fundraiser in Red Bank, New Jersey, former President Barack Obama urged Democrats to stop sulking and start organizing as the country grapples with Donald Trump’s second term in office.
“It’s going to require a little bit less navel-gazing and a little less whining and being in fetal positions,” Obama said, in remarks obtained by CNN. “And it’s going to require Democrats to just toughen up.”
The fundraiser, hosted by New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and his wife Tammy, raised $2.5 million for the Democratic National Committee, a portion of which will support the party’s efforts in key gubernatorial races. Obama used the platform to rally Democrats who feel disillusioned or fatigued by the political climate, especially those waiting for a perfect candidate or easy answers.
“Stop looking for the quick fix. Stop looking for the messiah,” he said. “You have great candidates running races right now. Support those candidates.”
With Democratic leaders navigating internal party tensions and external threats from Trump-aligned policies, Obama’s comments served as a reality check. He emphasized pragmatism over perfectionism, saying that Democrats must focus less on ideological litmus tests and more on results.
“I don’t care how much you love working people,” he said. “They can’t afford a house because all the rules in your state make it prohibitive to build… I don’t want to know your ideology, because you can’t build anything. It does not matter.”
Obama pointed out Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) and former Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), Democratic nominees for governor in their respective states, as prime examples of candidates who represent a “commonsense desire to help people” backed by strong records of service.
The former president also discussed the need to invest in the Democratic Party’s infrastructure, particularly data and digital, as it prepares for a complex, social media–driven election cycle. “Make sure that the DNC has what it needs to compete.”
While Obama has largely stayed measured in his public critiques since Trump returned to the White House in January, he did not hold back at the private event. He expressed deep concern about the erosion of democratic norms and urged traditional institutions to stop being complacent.
“There are no more guardrails within the Republican Party,” he warned, calling on law firms, universities, and civic organizations to resist intimidation and do their part in preserving democracy.
Still, his ultimate message was that it’s about showing up.
“What’s being asked of us is make some effort to stand up for the things that you think are right,” Obama concluded. “Be willing to be a little bit uncomfortable in defense of your values… If we all do our jobs over the next year and a half, then I think we will rebuild momentum and position ourselves to get this country moving in the direction it should.”
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