Former Democratic Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich sharply criticized his party on Thursday during an appearance on Fox News, claiming the Democratic Party is “paying the price” for what he described as a pattern of dishonesty. His comments come in the wake of President-elect Donald Trump’s historic victory, which saw him secure both the Electoral College and the popular vote.
Blagojevich, speaking on Jesse Watters Primetime Thursday, attributed internal strife within the Democratic Party to a culture of deceit. Responding to Watters’ question about apparent discord among Democrats, Blagojevich pointed to a legacy of dishonesty that has eroded trust within the party and with the American public.
Quoting former President Harry Truman, Blagojevich drew a stark contrast between today’s Democratic Party and its mid-20th-century iteration. “Harry Truman was very forthright, and he was a tough guy. Gave ’em hell. These Democrats are just liars. They lie to the American people. They lie to each other. They lie about each other. They stab each other in the back,” he said.
Blagojevich singled out President Joe Biden’s final Oval Office address, in which Biden praised Vice President Kamala Harris as “part of his family,” as an example of what he called blatant dishonesty. “That’s a blatant lie,” Blagojevich claimed. “She stabbed him in the back and got him removed as the presidential candidate.”
Reports of tension between Biden and Harris date back to the 2024 Democratic primaries when Biden exited the race and endorsed Harris following poor debate performances. Biden, in a later interview, speculated that he could have won reelection based on polling but admitted his withdrawal raised doubts about his cognitive abilities among Democrats and Republicans alike.
Blagojevich also criticized Democrats for defending Biden’s reelection bid despite widespread concerns about his mental fitness. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre had dismissed viral videos of Biden appearing confused as “cheap fakes” created by Republicans. However, after Biden’s lackluster debate performances and declining poll numbers, members of his own party began questioning his ability to lead.
“They lied about his fitness for office. They lied about Kamala Harris doing french fries at McDonald’s. They lied,” Blagojevich said. “They can’t even give you a straight answer to a simple question: How do you define a woman? Their lies are coming around, and they’re now paying the price.”
Blagojevich argued that the Democratic Party’s failures stem from its reliance on dishonesty. “What you have now is a house divided against itself. It’s because no relationship that’s predicated on lies could long endure, to paraphrase Lincoln. That’s what they’re facing,” he said.
He also criticized Biden’s farewell address, describing it as “dark and pessimistic,” and said Biden failed to take accountability for his administration’s shortcomings. “It never crosses his mind that if that’s the case, it’s because he’s screwed up as president for the past four years,” Blagojevich said.
Blagojevich’s comments align with recent polling data reflecting dissatisfaction with Biden’s presidency. A CNN poll conducted by SSRS found that Biden is leaving office with his lowest-ever approval rating, with just 36% of Americans supporting him. In his final address, Biden warned about the rise of a “tech industrial complex” and the dangers of misinformation, but critics argue these concerns do little to address his administration’s perceived failures.
Blagojevich’s remarks underscore ongoing fractures within the Democratic Party as it grapples with internal divisions and declining public support in the wake of Trump’s return to the White House.
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