Charles Barkley, never one to shy away from speaking his mind, didn’t mince words as he dissected the Democrats’ devastating 2024 election loss. On a recent episode of his podcast, The Steam Room, the NBA Hall of Famer offered a candid assessment of why Democrats fell short and how he plans to approach Donald Trump’s second term as president.
“When you win, you get to say what you want to. When you lose, you need to shut the hell up,” Barkley said, summing up his frustration with the Democratic Party’s post-election response. Despite his own political preferences, Barkley extended a measure of respect to President-elect Trump.
Acknowledging Trump’s Victory
“I wish him nothing but the best, but we lost,” Barkley admitted during the podcast. “I don’t think everybody who voted for Trump is racist or whatever,” Barkley noted. “I’m not a fan of the guy, but he’s the president. I’m gonna have to respect the office.”
Barkley continued, “I wish President-elect Donald Trump nothing but the best, because, hey, he won the race fair and square,” Barkley said. “I hope that he realized that 71 million people voted for her and do the best for the American people, plain and simple.”
No Game Plan, No Victory
Turning his criticism inward, Barkley lambasted the Democratic Party for failing to address the issues voters care about most. “We lost because we had no game plan,” he stated. “We still haven’t solved the immigration problem, have no viable answers, never addressed inflation. Bringing all these stupid stars out to rally the vote, what was that? Hey, I love Beyoncé. That ain’t gonna make me vote a certain type of way. Cardi B, I like Cardi B. That ain’t gonna make me vote a certain way.”
He emphasized the importance of tangible solutions over celebrity endorsements: It’s all our faults for not having a game plan,” Barkley said. “We’re not having concerts and rallies. People want solutions. They want money in their pocket. They want the border secure.”
Crime and Solutions Over Rhetoric
Barkley also pointed to rampant crime in Democrat-run cities, highlighting unchecked shoplifting that has forced businesses to lock up merchandise. He stressed that voters want action, not excuses. “You guys lost because y’all stupid. Come up with solutions,” he declared.
Despite his criticisms, Barkley expressed respect for President Joe Biden. Biden has been tremendous, he said, adding, I have nothing but admiration and respect for him.
Defending Free Choice in Voting
Barkley didn’t stop at critiquing the Democrats. He also defended those, like Auburn basketball coach Bruce Pearl, who supported Trump. “Bruce Pearl can vote for who he wants to. Bruce Pearl got two jobs: win basketball games and graduate players. That’s all I care about,” he said.
“The next one of you fools, idiots, and jackasses send me an article about Bruce Pearl supporting Trump, I’m gonna punch you in your face,” Barkley warned.
He also dismissed divisive rhetoric around political choices: “These people are out here telling me, ‘If you don’t vote for Kamala, you ain’t black.’ Shut the hell up. People can vote for who they want to.”
A Plea for Unity
Barkley’s podcast co-host, Ernie Johnson, shared his thoughts on the election and called for healing among Americans. “That’s the part that we have to get over,” Johnson said. “The fact that you voted one way, and I voted another way, that we can never see anything eye to eye or we never want anything to do with each other, because we’re getting nowhere that way.”
As Barkley summed it up, “People want solutions.” His message to both parties is clear: less talk, more action.
