"Shut the f**k up!" – Charles Barkley bluntly calls out Democrats over Donald Trump’s 2024 Presidential win
Basketball is the main thing Charles Barkley has covered in his broadcasting career. However, the Hall of Famer also dips into the world of politics on occasion. Earlier this week, Barkley did not hold back from sharing his thoughts on the recent U.S. Presidential election.
On November 5, Americans cast their vote to decide on who should be the next President of the United States. After losing in 2020, Donald Trump beat Vice President Kamala Harris to secure his second term.
While on his "Steam Room" podcast with TNT co-host Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley opened up on the election results. He called out Democrats, saying they need to silence their outrage after things didn't go their way.
“I wish him nothing but the best, but we lost,” Barkley said. “And I just want to say this to the Democrats, I’m an Independent who voted Democratic. Do me this favor, shut the f**k up! When you win you get to say what you want to, when you lose you need to shut the hell up.” (4:50)
For a brief period, Barkley was a co-host on a political talk show for CNN titled "King Charles." He did 18 episodes alongside Gayle King before the show was scrapped in May of 2024.
Charles Barkley gives his thoughts on why the Democratic Party lost the 2024 election
After sounding off on Democrats for reacting to the election, Charles Barkley went into why he thinks things unfolded out the way they did. His driving point was that the party operated with no gameplan throughout the campaigning process.
Barkley started off by citing important political issues. His main driving points were the country's immigration problem and how the rise in inflation was never addressed.
Charles Barkley then dove into some of the tactics Kamala Harris and the Democratic Party used in the campaign process. Mainly, how she brought out a wide range of celebrities at her rallies. Barkley admits they were all big names, but doesn't feel it pushed Americans to go out and vote.
"Bringing all these stupid stars out to rally to vote," Barkley said. "What was that?" (5:30)
"Hey, I love Beyonce. What bringing her out, that ain't going to make me vote a certain way," he added.
Admitting that he voted Democrat, Barkley does not seem fazed by his party losing the election. Instead, the former NBA star is trying to keep a positive outlook on the situation. Even though he isn't a big fan of former and future President Trump, he hopes he can have a positive impact on the country in his second term.