Obama cozies up to Dem Party's socialist wing as former president makes surprising midterm moves
Former President Barack Obama is increasingly throwing his political weight behind socialist and socialist-aligned Democrats as the party's left wing gains ground ahead of the midterm elections.
Democratic Socialists of America-backed candidates have scored several notable primary victories this year, adding to signs of the left wing's growing influence in Democratic politics ahead of November's midterms. While Obama is not backing every socialist candidate, his recent endorsements and campaign appearances show he is willing to bring some of the party’s most progressive figures into the Democratic coalition.
"President Obama remains the most popular figure in Democratic politics and a kingmaker whose support candidates actively seek," Democratic strategist Kevin Walling told Fox News Digital of the president who left office nearly a decade ago. "He understands that a Democrat who can win in New York City and a Democrat who can win in Michigan and Ohio have different politics, and the ability to bring those people into the same coalition is exactly what makes him so valuable."
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Obama's embrace of the party's progressive wing was on display Saturday in Michigan, where he campaigned alongside Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, while also lending his support to Florida Senate nominee Angie Nixon in a campaign video.
While El-Sayed does not identify as a democratic socialist or a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, he has embraced progressive policies, including Medicare for All, that have become central to the party's left wing.
During the Michigan rally, Obama invoked healthcare to defend Democrats against accusations that the party has moved too far to the left.
"What is so radical about wanting everybody to have health care?" Obama asked, as he promoted El-Sayed’s pledge to expand access to affordable coverage.
Obama’s comments prompted critics to revisit his own Obamacare-era promises and question the affordability of health care under his signature law. One X commenter sarcastically asked, "I thought someone fixed health care. What happened?" Another responded, "Who’s going to tell him?"
Obama praised Nixon for championing a $15 minimum wage and opposing Republican-backed congressional redistricting maps, calling her a leader "willing to stand up again and again for what’s right" who would make "an outstanding U.S. Senator."
Nixon, a DSA member, is campaigning on Medicare for All, universal childcare, rent protections and higher taxes on billionaires.
The former president has also campaigned with Texas Senate candidate James Talarico, whom Republicans have branded a democratic socialist. Talarico has emphasized economic populism, universal health care, stronger unions and campaign-finance restrictions, but does not identify as a socialist.
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Obama’s outreach comes amid a series of primary victories by democratic socialists and other left-wing challengers this year. In Colorado, Melat Kiros defeated longtime Democratic Rep. Diana DeGette, while Donavan McKinney ousted Rep. Shri Thanedar in Michigan. Socialist-backed candidates also won congressional primaries in New York, building on Zohran Mamdani’s 2025 mayoral victory.
Obama's support for the party's socialist left is not new. The former president endorsed Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in her 2018 congressional race and former Rep. Jamaal Bowman in 2020, both of whom received backing from the Democratic Socialists of America.
Obama’s public praise of figures tied to communist movements also extends beyond his current campaign allies.
He has repeatedly celebrated Nelson Mandela, who had documented ties to South Africa’s Communist Party, and wrote warmly in "Dreams from My Father" about Frank Marshall Davis, a former Communist Party USA figure who served as a mentor during Obama’s youth.
Obama also reached out to Mamdani during his 2025 campaign for New York City mayor, praising the democratic socialist's campaign and offering to serve as a sounding board without formally endorsing his candidacy.
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Democratic strategist Mally Smith defended Obama’s campaign activity, arguing that his support reflects an effort to build a broad coalition rather than a wholesale endorsement of every progressive policy.
"President Obama is, by far, the most popular politician in America. He is traveling around the country supporting Democrats from across the party," Smith told Fox News Digital. "He understands we need a big-tent coalition, and that is why he is helping Democrats as diverse as Josh Turek in Iowa to El-Sayed in Michigan."
"The Republicans have no equivalent when it comes to Obama’s broad appeal across the electorate," Smith said. "They are stuck with Trump, who is on a red-state desperation tour because he can’t step foot in any swing state since at-risk Republicans don’t want to be anywhere near him."
At a campaign rally in Kansas, President Trump called Obama "a rotten president," while dismissing his planned appearance with El-Sayed.
"I love Michigan. I don’t believe that Michigan values are gonna allow this guy to get in. He’s an arrogant guy. But Barack Hussein Obama is going up there to help him campaign," said Trump.
Walling said Obama’s strength comes from his ability to support candidates with different political profiles while keeping them under the same Democratic umbrella.
"The former president doesn’t ask which wing of the party a nominee comes from. He asks whether they can win, and he’s helping Democrats build a party broad enough to compete to do just that," Walling said.
Obama’s return to the campaign trail comes as Democrats debate whether the party can turn the energy of its socialist and progressive movements into a national coalition — and whether candidates backed by the party’s left can win beyond deep-blue cities and districts.
Fox News Digital reached out to Obama's office for comment but did not immediately receive a reply.