Obamas Call on Americans to ‘Keep Building’ a Country That’s ‘More Equal and More Free’

Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama congratulated Donald Trump and J.D. Vance after their victory, while sending a message of hope and resilience to Americans.

"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 Obamas said in a joint statement. "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."

The Obamas wrote they were proud of Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, her running mate, "two extraordinary public servants who ran a remarkable campaign," and expressed their gratitude for the staff and volunteers who "poured their heart and soul into electing public servants they truly believed in." Trending Stories

Their statement highlighted how the country "has been through a lot over the last few years," including Covid-19 and resulting price hikes. "Those conditions have created headwinds for democratic incumbents around the world, and last night showed that America is not immune," the Obamas continued. "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."