Obamas Congratulate Trump for Winning Election, Urge ‘Good Faith and Grace’
Former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama extended an olive branch to President-elect Donald Trump following his decisive victory in the 2024 presidential election.
The two’s message comes despite having campaigned vigorously against Trump alongside Vice President Kamala Harris.
The former first couple released a statement Wednesday emphasizing the importance of national unity and democratic principles, even as Trump secured a sweeping electoral victory that will return him to the White House for a second term.
“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,” Obama stated, setting a tone of reconciliation after a heated campaign season.
The election results showed Trump’s dominance in key battleground states, with victories in Georgia, North Carolina, Michigan, Wisconsin, Nevada and Pennsylvania.
Arizona’s results remain pending, but Trump’s path to victory has already been secured, prompting The Hill and Decision Desk HQ to call the race early Wednesday morning.
The former president and first lady acknowledged the challenging circumstances that shaped the election landscape, including the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing economic pressures.
“Those conditions have created headwinds for democratic incumbents around the world, and last night showed that America is not immune,” their statement noted.
President-elect Trump’s victory also ensures JD Vance’s ascension to the vice presidency, marking a significant shift in the executive branch’s leadership.
The Obamas’ statement addressed this changing of the guard, acknowledging their “profound disagreements with the Republican ticket” while emphasizing the importance of accepting electoral outcomes.
“This is obviously not the outcome we had hoped for,” the Obamas admitted, while underscoring that “living in a democracy is about recognizing that our point of view won’t always win out, and being willing to accept the peaceful transfer of power.”
The former first couple also praised Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, for conducting what they termed a “remarkable campaign” under challenging circumstances.
Looking toward the future, the Obamas stressed the importance of maintaining democratic principles that have guided the nation.
“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,” their statement concluded.
Trump’s victory represents a significant shift in American politics, with the former president set to return to the White House after a four-year hiatus, having secured multiple battleground states that proved crucial in determining the election’s outcome.
Before and during Super Tuesday, Barack Obama himself took to X to continuously urge his followers to vote for Harris.
“Thanks everybody for taking the time to vote,” he said in one post.
“Let’s get it done,” he said in another.
In a subsequent post on Tuesday, he responded to a family who voted for Harris, “Thank you for voting and choosing a better future for that little kiddo — and for all our kids.”
One X user posted a picture of herself alongside her daughters, writing, “I voted for a future of these sweet girls,” to which the former Democrat president responded, “That’s what it’s all about — thanks for voting!”
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America voted against the endless wars, America voted for endless illegal immigrantion. America voted to stop Globalization and put the American Worker first. America voted to preserve free speech and to end censorship. America voted to be energy independent. America voted to remove socialism out the government.
America voted against the endless wars, America voted to stop endless illegal immigrantion. America voted to stop Globalization and put the American Worker first. America voted to preserve free speech and to end censorship. America voted to be energy independent. America voted to remove socialism out the government
Obama just wants to make sure Trump doesn’t have him prosecuted for spying on his 2016 campaign and all the other shenanigans he and Hillary pulled.
EXACTLY!!! What a convenient time to extend an olive branch
I have to agree. He’s not the only one that needs to worry
Obama turns friendly to Trump all of the sudden 🙄
Hmm, his sugar coating words express defeat and anger.
Obamas trying to get out of going to Gitmo for everything he and his corrupt cronies have done!!
we’ve seen this oiled up slippery pulled out olive branch before. never forget…
Trump DOJ has a lot to do…I am ready for some serious justice for all who weaponized DOJ against Trump!!
I’m so sick of hearing about democracy. We live in a constitutional republic. Our forefathers were warned against democracy. The Democratic Party has Weaponized the word democracy to try to get everybody think that we are democracy. I expect to see mass numbers of people leaving this country as they Promised, including AOC, Pelosi, and all the other high profile people. I want Trump to clean house in the department of Justice, CIA And all the other corrupt organizations that operate within our government. I want every illegal out of this country I hope for return to our wonderful economy, patriotism, And our creator to guide our leaders.