A former Democrat has left the party, explaining that “hypocrisy” and an “unrealistic” attachment to celebrity endorsements have made him feel hopeless about the party's future.
Former Democratic campaign fundraiser Evan Barker explained why he's “fed up” with the Democratic Party on “Fox & Friends” after Vice President Kamala Harris appeared at a star-studded virtual campaign event with Oprah Winfrey on Thursday.
“I've been in Democratic politics for a long time, I've raised millions of dollars, I went to the Democratic National Convention last month hoping to be re-inspired, but instead I felt like I was in a room with some of the most naive, elitist people in the world,” Barker told Lawrence Jones on Friday.
Former Obama fundraiser breaks with Democrat, says he'll vote for Trump for the first time
In a Newsweek op-ed published this week, Barker explained how she went from raising “tens of millions of dollars” for the Democratic Party to distancing herself from a party she sees as “grossly out of touch with ordinary Americans.”
Barker said he was initially “thrilled” that Vice President Kamala Harris accepted the presidential nomination at the Democratic National Convention.
CHICAGO, IL – AUGUST 22: Democratic presidential candidate and US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks onstage during the final day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois on August 22, 2024. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (Getty Images)
“But once I got there, wandered amid the glitz and glamour, soaking up all the gloss and sweetness, I couldn't escape a sinking feeling. I felt like I was sinking in an empty room whose mottos were 'Saucy Summer' and 'Joy.' Totally out of touch with ordinary Americans and their pressing needs. Instead, the world's most elite were shouting in unison: 'We're not going back.'” Barker wrote:.
Barker said the “hypocrisy” of the Democratic Party was the main reason he had distanced himself from the party as a whole, arguing that donors “control everything,” including candidates' policy positions.
“I'm originally from the Midwest and a lot of my family are union members or have been in unions in the past. They're people who once voted for Barack Obama and now they're voting for Donald Trump. For a long time I didn't understand why, but as I raised money for the Democratic Party and was in these circles, I realized that donors control the party,” Barker said.
Wealthy DNC speakers like Oprah and Obama denounce wealth inequality and America's obsession with money.
“They control everything. They control what the candidates prioritize. I know Republicans have this issue too, but Democrats are much more hypocritical about it,” she continued. “I think at the end of the day it's just hypocrisy and the fact that I don't recognize this party anymore.”
Oprah Winfrey hosted a livestream event called “Unite for America,” which was attended by many celebrities and also featured questions and stories from citizens across the country. The event was organized by the organization Winning with Black Women, which supports Harris. More than 140 grassroots organizations participated in the virtual rally, including White Women: Answer the Call and Latinas for Harris. “White men supporting Harris”
Oprah Winfrey headlined Vice President Kamala Harris' online rally. (Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images | Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
The event took place in Oakland County, Michigan, and included a speech from Governor Gretchen Whitmer, with a crowd of 400. Celebrities including Bryan Cranston, Chris Rock, Ben Stiller, Jennifer Lopez, Tracee Ellis Ross, Julia Roberts and Meryl Streep also attended online.
Barker argued that the notables in attendance were not ordinary Americans who are being affected by rising prices as inflation continues to soar and put financial strain on families across the country.
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“They're basically just saying that if you just have optimism and joy, life will be fine,” Barker said. “I'm so sick of this. I'm so sick of this… My grandmother lives in Missouri. She voted for Obama twice, and recently voted for Trump a couple of times… She's surviving on her Social Security benefits right now.”
“It's so prohibitively expensive and it's so hard on my grandmother,” she continued. “I want to see the Democrats talk about what they're going to do for my grandmother, not just have a bunch of celebrities fly in and tell everyone joy and optimism. It's embarrassing, it's embarrassing.”
“They have become the party of Dick Cheney, Goldman Sachs, endless proxy wars and identity politics,” she said. “I've just been very brave these past few weeks and I've taken a lot of flak from a lot of people, and I've reached a point where I can't take it anymore and I have to speak up.”
Fox News' Yael Haron and Lindsay Koenick contributed to this report.
