WASHINGTON – Senator John Thune shared with Breitbart News that he believes Democrats are currently “floundering,” attributing their struggles to what he calls “Trump Mad Syndrome.”
Thune’s remarks were made during an exclusive interview at the U.S. Capitol this week, filmed in the Strom Thurmond Room—a space named after a senator who held the record for the longest filibuster speech. Recently, Democrat Cory Booker (D-NJ) surpassed that record, although the reasons for his filibuster remain unclear. When asked about this and broader Democratic challenges, Thune pointed to a recent press conference by minority leader Chuck Schumer, where Schumer seemed to diagnose a “identity” crisis within the party, referencing his own low polling numbers.
“They’re a hot mess,” Thune noted. “They’re really struggling to find their identity right now. I think their party’s core principles are deeply misaligned with mainstream America. They’ve shifted into a more ideologically extreme position. Republicans are now competing for a different group of people, and I believe Democrats have made it hard for many Americans to see them as a viable option.”
Several prominent Democratic senators, including Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin, Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Gary Peters (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Michael Bennett (D-CO), have announced they will not seek re-election next year. When asked about this trend of retirements, Thune remarked that Democrats are effectively ceding important ground to Republicans ahead of upcoming elections.
“They’re giving us some opportunities,” Thune commented. “I’ll emphasize that failure isn’t an option for us. We need to follow through on our promises and show we are collaborating with the president and our counterparts in the House. If we do that, I think we can compete in states that we haven’t historically won. It seems like many of these members are choosing to step back, and that speaks volumes.”
Thune criticized Democrats for focusing primarily on attacking Trump, suggesting they haven’t offered anything constructive. He pointed out that whenever Democrats regain control in Congress—especially during medium-term elections—they seem to fixate on anti-Trump messaging, as highlighted by Rep. Sri Thanedar’s (D-MI) frequent references to Trump.
“I think that’s really their sole focus,” Thune said. “It’s a shame, honestly. There’s so much energy directed at Trump, but it’s not yielding anything productive. We witness this chaos every day in the Senate with impassioned speeches filled with outrage. They claim to be working with the president but are instead racing to see who can make the most extreme statements. It demonstrates how disconnected they are from what most Americans want. There’s simply no clear alternative from them right now, which is a definite advantage for us. We’re making sure our agenda is front and center.”
