In the hour following Vice President Kamala Harris’s concession speech, Former President Barack Obama released a statement addressing the election results. Obama expressed pride in Vice President Harris and Governor Walz, while also congratulating President Trump and Senator Vance on their victory.
“As I said on the campaign trail, 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,” Obama wrote in the statement. “Those conditions have created headwinds for democratic incumbents around the world, and last night showed that America is not immune.
“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.”
Obama’s full statement is provided below:
“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.
“This is obviously not the outcome we had hoped for, given our profound disagreements with the Republican ticket on a whole host of issues,” they wrote. “But 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.”
“Michelle and I could not be prouder of Vice President Harris and Governor Walz — two extraordinary public servants who ran a remarkable campaign. And we will always be grateful to the staff and volunteers who poured their heart and soul into electing public servants they truly believed in.
“As I said on the campaign trail, 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,” Obama said. “Those conditions have created headwinds for democratic incumbents around the world, and last night showed that America is not immune.
“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.”
“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,” the statement read. “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.”