Conservatives on social media are furious former President Obama after his first speech since the presidential elections, in which he lamented the polarization in politics.
During a speech Thursday At the Obama Foundation’s Democracy Forum, Obama has argued that if “one side” tries to strengthen a “permanent grip on power” by “suppressing votes,” “politicizing” the military or arming the judiciary power and the criminal justice system to target opponents, “A line has been crossed.”
“Pluralism is not about holding hands and singing ‘Kumbaya,’” Obama said. “It’s not about giving up your beliefs and putting them aside when things get tough. It’s about recognizing that in a democracy, power comes from forging alliances and building coalitions, and making space in those coalitions not just for the woke people, but also for the woke people.
“Purity testing is not a recipe for long-term success.”
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Former President Obama and President-elect Trump (AP images)
Obama’s speech quickly drew heavy criticism from conservatives.
“It’s over for Obama,” said journalist Miranda Devine posted on X. ‘The spell is broken. Donald Trump has defeated him, Biden, Harris, the Bushes, the Cheneys. All of them, with a spring in his step.”
“Since his desperate smear of Trump with the ‘very fine people on both sides’ lie, Barack Obama has been slower to realize that his status as a false prophet of the Democratic party no longer exists,” said conservative radio host Buck Sexton. posted on X.
Former President Obama during the Obama Foundation’s 2024 Democracy Forum on December 5, 2024 in Chicago. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
“Obama has changed our politics to ‘if you don’t agree with me, you’re a bad person,’” said Republican communicator Matt Whitlock. posted on X. “Few people have done more to pave the way for Trump. So he can take a seat.”
“By voting in democratic elections, millions of people have proven that they hate democracy,” wrote Jon Gabriel posted on X. “Yes, this Obama guy is quite intellectual.”
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President-elect Trump waves at UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 16, 2024, in New York, with Kid Rock, Dana White and Elon Musk. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
“Aside from the incredible hypocrisy here, this is also the man launching a project to reduce our political divisions. Being the problem – all on his high horse, looking down in disappointment at the unwashed masses – while publicly lamenting the problem is Obama’s pinnacle,” Fox News contributor Guy Benson posted on X.
Obama emphasized in his remarks that he is “convinced that if democracy as we understand it is to survive,” people must work toward a renewed commitment to pluralistic principles.
“Because the alternative is what we’ve seen here in the United States and in many democracies around the world. Not just more stalemate. Not just public cynicism. But an increasing willingness” among “politicians and their followers to violate democratic norms. do whatever they can to get their way. Using the power of the state to target critics, journalists and political rivals and even resorting to violence’ to gain and maintain power.
Fox News Digital’s Alex Nitberg contributed to this report
