Obama says recent Democratic wins prove Americans ‘don’t want cruelty’

Former President Barack Obama said the Democratic Party’s recent election victories showed that Americans “don’t want cruelty” in a podcast released Friday.

On the latest episode of the progressive podcast “Pod Save America,” Obama celebrated Tuesday’s Democratic victories in New Jersey, New York and Virginia, saying they showed voters “were paying attention” and wanted more humane leaders.

“It reminds us that the American people care. They don’t want cruelty,” Obama said.

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Former President Barack Obama is campaigning for Abigail Spanberger in Virginia. (Win McNamee/Getty)

Democratic candidates scored victories in a variety of state and local elections Tuesday. Democratic candidate Rep. Mikie Sherrill won the New Jersey gubernatorial race, and democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani was elected mayor of New York.

Former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., also won Virginia’s gubernatorial race. Obama campaigned for the candidate days before the election.

Critics slammed Obama for endorsing a ticket that included Virginia attorney general candidate Jay Jones, which sparked backlash when leaked texts showed him contemplating the murder of a Republican state lawmaker and his children.

Spanberger was attacked throughout the final weeks of the campaign by her Republican opponent, incumbent Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, for not asking Jones to drop out of the race.

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Former President Barack Obama speaks at a rally in Virginia. (Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Still, Obama said Democratic victories proved that voters still value “decency and respect.”

“They’re not looking for people at the top trying to consolidate power. They believe in community. They believe in treating people with decency and respect,” he said.

Obama also praised what he described as the good character of the Democratic candidates.

“And what this election has also taught us is that if, first of all, you have candidates with integrity who believe in something and are in it for the right reasons, they can win,” Obama said.

“And what we also learned is that when young people are engaged and involved, then we win,” he added.

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New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, center, speaks to reporters alongside members of his transition team at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens, NY, Wednesday, November 5, 2025. (Adam Gray/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Obama’s remarks about the integrity of Democratic candidates contrast with his comments about the Trump administration earlier in the week.

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At his rally for Spanberger, Obama hammered President Donald Trump, saying, “Our country and our politics are in a pretty dark place right now. It’s hard to know where to start, because every day this White House offers us a new batch of lawlessness, recklessness, pettiness and just plain insanity. »