Obama Says Dem Party Needs To ‘Toughen Up’

Former President Barack Obama said Friday that Democrats need to “just toughen up,” CNN first reported on Monday.

Obama also asserted that he thinks fellow Democrats need to do “less navel-gazing” and “whining,” according to CNN. The former president added that Democrats need to “stand up for free speech” even when it is “hard.”

“I think it’s going to require a little bit less navel-gazing and a little less whining and being in fetal positions,” Obama said at the fundraiser, CNN reported. “And it’s going to require Democrats to just toughen up.”

“You know, don’t tell me you’re a Democrat, but you’re kind of disappointed right now, so you’re not doing anything. No, now is exactly the time that you get in there and do something,” Obama said. “Don’t say that you care deeply about free speech and then you’re quiet. No, you stand up for free speech when it’s hard. When somebody says something that you don’t like, but you still say, ‘You know what, that person has the right to speak.’ … What’s needed now is courage.”

Obama gave the remarks Friday evening at a private fundraising event hosted by term-limited Democratic New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and his wife, Tammy Murphy, in Red Bank, New Jersey, according to CNN. His comments come as Democrats are attempting to regroup after the party’s 2024 election losses and craft impactful political messaging ahead of the 2026 midterm elections and 2028 White House race.

“Stop looking for the quick fix,” Obama said, according to CNN. “Stop looking for the messiah. You have great candidates running races right now. Support those candidates.”

“Make sure that the DNC [Democratic National Committee] has what it needs to compete in what will be a more data-driven, more social media-driven cycle, which will cost some money and expertise and time,” Obama added.

Obama’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.