Barack Obama warns of rising authoritarianism in global democracy discussion with Hungarian and Polish activists
“We see politicians targeting civil society, undermining press freedom, weaponizing the justice system,” Obama said. “And no one is spared. Even countries that thought they were immune to wholesale attacks on democracy now understand that we are all part of a single struggle.”
Obama did not mention President Donald Trump’s name. The former president took an outspoken stance against Trump in his 2025 public appearance, increasing criticism of Trump’s second term and voicing concerns about American politics.
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Obama Foundation’s young leaders attend London debate
The panelists Obama spoke to at last month’s event had previously participated in the Obama Foundation’s young leaders program. Participants included Sándor Léderer, one of the founders of the anti-corruption monitoring group in Hungary; Stefania Kapronczay, who until recently served as co-director of the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union; and Zuzanna Rudzinska-Bluszcz, who served as Deputy Minister of Justice of Poland from December 2023 to August 2025. “I have become increasingly concerned about the rising tide of authoritarianism that is sweeping the world,” Obama said in a video promoting the speech, which took place in London.Former President’s comments reference Trump administration’s alignment with authoritarian leaders
The comments were a veiled rebuke to the current US administration and the leaders Trump has aligned with since taking office.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán advocates what he calls “illiberal democracy” and is seen as the inspiration for Trump’s government’s playbook. Orbán has become popular among MAGA conservatives, and Trump has praised him as “a very great leader” and a “very strong man.”
In Poland, a firebrand affiliated with the right-wing populist Law and Justice party narrowly won the country’s presidential election in June; It’s a political upset that could cripple the centrist government’s efforts to reverse authoritarianism in the country.
Trump has sought to deploy military assets to Democratic-led cities against their leaders’ wishes, called on the Justice Department to bring charges against his political rivals, and criticized judges who tried to block his actions.
Obama criticizes populist politicians promising return to the past
Obama did not specifically bring up these examples. He noted that politicians’ promises of “going back to the way things were”, similar to Trump’s “Make America Great Again” message, were empty.
The former president acknowledged that unresponsive bureaucracies and politicians contributed to a global populist wave.
“In the United States, for example, laws will need to be changed so that action can be taken to lawfully respond to problems more effectively and quickly,” Obama said during the debate. “I think what we’re seeing is that when people are frustrated, they’re willing to take any action, even if it’s illegal, because there’s at least a sense that something is happening. I think that’s something everyone has to internalize at this point.”
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Former president admits centrist politicians are losing touch with voters
Obama acknowledged that centrist politicians have in many cases lost touch with voters, leading to the development of populist anger.
“A big challenge is that governments, whether centre-right or centre-left, lose touch with the people and fail to deliver on some of the basic hopes and dreams of the people, so you become frustrated with the government, period,” he said. “This clearly opens the door to right-wing populism, anti-immigrant sentiment, anger and grievance.”
Obama said wealth gaps and complex modern economies make people “feel like they have no control, and their politicians often feel like they don’t have control over all the different forces that are out there.” He said social media is “very good at making people angry or afraid of those who disagree with them.”
Obama discusses the need for new forms of political participation
“We haven’t yet figured out what are the new forms of engagement that can mobilize people and make them feel empowered, so that when they take action it will make a difference for them and their families,” he said.
Obama suggested that authoritarians act by “just breaking things” rather than creating alternatives to the systems they criticize.
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“They can tear everything down, remove restrictions on their actions, and empower themselves in a small group,” he said. “In terms of being able to solve some of the big problems with health care or education, not so much, because that requires creating new structures. It’s not just a matter of taking credit, getting a piece of everything that’s being done, and making sure your friends are rewarded and your enemies are punished.”
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