In what could be a defining moment for the struggling Democratic Party, former President Barack Obama is stepping back into the spotlight—just when they need him most.
Obama is set to headline a high-stakes fundraiser Friday night in Red Bank, New Jersey, marking his first political event since Democrats were dealt a punishing blow in the 2024 elections that returned Donald Trump to the White House.
Hosted by outgoing New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy, the event signals a strategic pivot as Democrats try to stop the bleeding and regroup ahead of the 2026 midterms. The fundraiser will also feature Democratic National Committee chair Ken Martin and Rep. Mikie Sherrill, who’s running to succeed Murphy in a race that’s already drawing national attention.
“This isn’t just a fundraiser,” said a DNC source familiar with the planning. “This is a rallying cry. The president is coming off the sidelines.”
Obama’s return could reenergize a base that’s been demoralized and fractured since November. He’s still one of the most popular figures in the party, and in 2024 alone, he helped raise a staggering $85 million for Democratic candidates. Now, with Trump bulldozing through Washington with little resistance, Democrats are desperate for a comeback—and many see Obama as their best shot at getting back in the fight.
“This is about protecting our values, our healthcare, and our democracy,” Rep. Sherrill said in a statement. “Trump’s policies are doing real harm to real people.”
One such policy is Trump’s massive “Big, Beautiful” spending bill, which critics say could gut Medicaid and strip millions of Americans of their health coverage. The bill passed the House by razor-thin margins in May—margins that would have disappeared had Democratic Reps. Gerry Connolly, Sylvester Turner, and Raul Grijalva not all died unexpectedly within three months of each other. Their deaths ignited a firestorm of criticism over the party’s aging leadership and lack of generational transition.
“It’s time for new blood, but it’s also time for strong leadership,” said a former Obama campaign adviser. “The president is stepping in to be that bridge.”
Democrats are now framing the 2025 New Jersey gubernatorial race as a bellwether. Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli, a Trump loyalist, has embraced the former president’s policies and rhetoric, even defending the controversial crackdown on asylum seekers and the renewed push for a nationwide abortion ban.
Obama’s presence on the trail could offer Democrats more than just dollars—it could give them a message.
“This is about the soul of the country,” a Democratic strategist told us. “Obama knows it. Voters know it. And Trump better believe it.”
While Obama’s office has not released an official statement, insiders say more appearances are likely in the months ahead—especially in swing states where Democrats will have to fight tooth and nail to retake Congress in 2026.
Whether it’s too little too late remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the gloves are off, and Obama is back in the ring.
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I used to live on the jersey shore… There is no way the families in Red Bank, New Jersey are going to accept your 💩talk from a loosing DemoRATIC Party. The families in Red Bank are so much happier now that Trump is keeping the boat afloat. After that ship of fools with joey-boys administration destroyed America. Most X/prez just go away after their (8) years. But not you, you think you can swoop in and save Dems … 🤣.
Not going to happen in New Jersey !!!
Yep, limp-wristed blatant Liar Obummer couldn’t knock out a teddy bear and can’t run for president again, he’s just a hated has been that did the OPPOSITE of everything he ever claimed to be running on.
All BS irrelevant and useless as usual. Looking for some more money!
Sorry. Obama is an egotistical clown. Very few peop
Fat chance he can help the democraps since he is the one that started their downfall with his “I will fundamentally change America”. Well he did change America and we don’t like it!
Doubt itSent from my iPhone
Wishing you all the best to.stop the dictatorship of trump as a Canadian it’s hard to believe what is happening to a country that was so great and the world looked up to
No – the world still didn’t like America, but put on a Nice Face – looked up to – because most of the Party In Power would pass out the cash – like with USAid, because everyone got something out of the deal.
PRESIDENT Trump decided, with most of America’s blessings, enough was enough. So the masks have come off.
The US has been propping up Europe since WWII, and they talk s#!t about the US all the while. Most countries worldwide would line up to get a handout for ridiculous things we have no knowledge OR intention of paying for.
Canada – a place I love to go – thinks government-sponsored euthanasia for unhappy people is a good thing. Fix your own place …
NOBODY WILL GIVE HIM A SECOND CHANCE TO SCREW UP OUR COUNTRY. TRUMP IS EXACTLY WHAT THE USA VOTERS PUT INTO OFFICE
So they’re finally desperate enough to bring in the “great divider”!! If he can’t stir up more hate and racism, nobody can!
Obama may be loved by Democrats but for what? Because he broke the barrier as the first black president? That’s identity politics not merit politics and America has had enough of identity, woke and special interest politics that’s why Trump won and why Obama is irreverent!
The democrats live in buying votes with free money to special interests with the rest of the taxpayers paying the bills! Americans have had enough!!!
Ever wonder when democrats and their lap dogs in the media go on and on about how the republicans and especially Trump supposedly favor the rich yet the Democrats ALWAYS RAISE MORE MONEY FROM THE TOP 1%???? One doesn’t get to be in the top 1% unless you are smart so they must be getting something for supporting the Democrats!!! Use your common sense!
BTW- who were the slave owners? Which party ran the states with big top 1% landowners? Who had the Jim Crow laws? Who started the civil war cause they opposed Lincoln who stood for abolishing slavery? That’s right the Democrats!!!!
BTW what did LBJ (a democrat president) say as he signed the civil right act? “ with this signature we will have the F in Nigers voting democrat for the next 50 years!
Nothing has changed. This is the democrat party reality, it’s all about them! Very corrupt!
And the American people have had enough! America first for Americans!
So why would anyone give a hoot in hell what the obummer does? He was a lousy president, a lousy speaker, and he is absolutely no friend to firearms owners.
Hope Trump knocks Obama out !!!!👎Sent from my iPhone
“This is about the soul of the country,” a Democratic strategist told us. “Obama knows it. Voters know it. And Trump better believe it.”
“Whether it’s too little too late remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the gloves are off, and Obama is back in the ring.”
As soon as this event is over The multimillionaire ‘Anointed One’ will hop on his private jet, wave goodbye with check in hand, and fly back to Martha’s Vineyard.
Just what we need another failure president. Obama did nothing for the American people but divide us.
The Leftist Manchurian Obama is a complete disgrace and a complete embarrassment full of self serving blatant liar who continues to spread hatred towards America!!
He so needy. Sick of looking at his ugly face just as much as I’m sick of looking at mikes face
SCREW OBUMMER, HE DID ENOUGH DAMAGE TO THIS COUNTRY! NO MORE.
It will never happen
Think he\’ll tell them how to think so they k ow what they believe? Obviously he thinks he knows best. Sad to so stupid and agorant at the same time.
To ensure that his legacy of lies, deceit, cover ups and supression of personal information, Barrak Hussien Obama has to come back to resserect the fortunes of the Democrats.
Look what Barry did to hisVP(Sleepy Joe) when he stab him in the back and pushed him off the ticket for Tamala ,to get the nomination?
OMG, really. This guy can’t keep a family together and they want him to pull a country together? He is the reason we are at this point in this country. We have enough illegals without another thinking he matters. So you idiots want corruption back in government and Americans to suffer again. I don’t know about anyone else but he did nothing for me and my family except spy on us, take our money, brought more illegals into my communities, and make me pay for everyone else’s crap. Corruption corruption corruption no thanks. Remember he wants the USA to become his ruling through him being king and killing off the white people. Not to mention keep everyone else poor except for those who kiss his —.
Someone please inform him that Americans know about all his corruption and how he threatens others or blackmails others. He is jealous because President Trump is loved and supported. President Trump doesn’t have to pay people to do things for him. He doesn’t have pay them, threaten them, blackmail them, or use lawfare, lies, fake documents or weaponize a government. President Trump does what he says and means what he says, no lies, no corruption, no lawfare, no shadow government, no weaponized government, no fake birth certificate and no using people like Obama. Democrats have gone to bottom of barrel now. No morals, no values, no truth, no remorse for anything. Democrats can’t win anything without cheating. That is a fact. Funny how Comey and Brennan are in trouble and he is raising money? Why? Money train gone and his right hand puppets in so called government jobs are being sent packing? Accountability accountability accountability, say it Obama. Remember no one is above the law including you and your judicial system thugs and criminals illegal thugs. Americans are awake and smell you rats. Rat bait is out and waiting to catch all the big rats now that the mice are caught.
What kind of blow is this. We need to decide how much to pay
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