In a rare and fiery moment on The View, co-host Whoopi Goldberg pushed back against former President Barack Obama’s recent remarks about the Democratic Party’s messaging strategy, especially in the face of Donald Trump’s ongoing political presence.
During a recent public appearance, Obama addressed the Democratic response to Trump’s second term, saying, “Democrats need to speak out more forcefully against [Trump] and they should stop looking for a messiah. It’s going to require less navel-gazing and a little less whining.”
Goldberg didn’t hold back in her response, defending Democratic voters and redirecting Obama’s criticism toward Democratic leadership instead. “Let me remind everybody who was out on the frontlines marching when we had the giant marches that went on—it was the people. The people went out. They were not navel-gazing,” Goldberg said passionately, told Decider.
She went on to highlight the efforts of everyday Americans who, she argued, have been the backbone of resistance efforts. “It was older people who were saying, ‘Why are you touching my Social Security?’ It was not people whining. It was about people saying, ‘Why are you taking these rights from my child when my child was born here?’”
Goldberg argued that the problem doesn’t lie with Democratic voters, whose messaging has remained consistent, but with elected officials. “The same Democrats have been angry at what [Trump] tried to do last time. They’ve been angry this time, so I, with much due respect to you both, believe you are pointing the finger at the wrong person when you say Democrats,” she said, directing her comments at Obama.
Co-host Ana Navarro echoed Goldberg’s sentiments, sharing her own recent experience attending the No Kings march in Miami—a protest opposing Trump’s controversial immigration policies. Navarro pointed out that civic engagement is alive and well, despite the risks.
“I saw all sorts of people gathering together and protesting, despite the fact that we are living in a country where there is retribution… There is a lot of fear,” Navarro said. While she acknowledged agreement with some of Obama’s points, Navarro emphasized that Americans are not sitting idly by.
“I do think there are things that are working. I agree with Obama, people can’t wait for a messiah. And people aren’t waiting for a messiah. People are taking it on their own,” she said. The exchange served as a reminder of the ongoing tension within Democratic circles as they gear up for the 2024 election. The View airs weekdays at 11/10c on ABC.