Calling the November election "more important" than his own historic White House run, President Barack Obama is pleading for donations to defeat Donald Trump, branding the GOP nominee as "unfit" and warning of "lasting damage" if he wins.

Here's the fundraising email blast that went out Monday to Florida supporters:

"Winning the presidential election this year is more important than it was in 2008 or 2012.

"Now, that may sound incredible – after all, I'm the guy who had the honor of winning those races. And we've been able to accomplish amazing, important things for the people of this country because of our victories.

"But as much as I may have disagreed with the men I ran against four and eight years ago, I didn't question whether they were fundamentally capable of serving as president. I didn't have to worry that our very democracy would be endangered if they won.

"This year is different. Donald Trump is unfit to handle the demands of the presidency. His election wouldn't just mean four years of turning back the clock on all our progress – it could very well mean lasting damage to the nation we love.

"We have to do everything we can to stop him. It's never been more important. Right now, our team is falling short of where we need to be in terms of fundraising, and with 36 days to go, we can't waste a minute.

"Hillary and all the Democrats running in Florida need you to help out with $3 right now."