Vice President JD Vance mentioned in a recent appearance on “special report with Brett Baier” that he believes President Donald Trump has essentially become the new leader of the Democratic Party, noting their continued opposition to him.
Since Trump’s victory in November, Democrats have been facing challenges in capturing voter support, appearing somewhat fragmented without a clear, unified message. In his conversation with Baier, Vance was asked if he thinks Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez might emerge as the new figurehead for the party.
Vance joked, saying, “President AOC, thanks, Brett, you’ve just ruined my sleep.” He then expressed uncertainty.
When Baier queried about potential Democratic leaders after Trump’s success over figures like former Vice President Kamala Harris and Tim Waltz, Vance asserted, “As long as Democrats have a leader, I think Donald J. Trump is that leader. They’re against everything he does, even initiatives that aim to revitalize the American manufacturing sector or help steelworkers earn better wages.”
He emphasized that Democrats often have a visceral reaction to Trump’s actions, stating, “Whenever Donald Trump does something, they just have to object. Who would oppose deporting millions of illegal immigrants?”
A recent CNN/SSRS poll indicated that Democrats have hit a record low approval rating at 29%, marking a significant drop since January 2021. Over 30% of those surveyed couldn’t identify a leader who truly represents the party’s core values. Among those suggested, Ocasio-Cortez received 10%, followed by Harris at 8%, Bernie Sanders at 6%, and Hakeem Jeffries receiving write-in votes.
“Their reactions to Trump show they lack real leadership,” Vance remarked. “If you’re dreaming of a time when Democrats offer constructive governance ideas, that might actually be a positive sign. It’s likely why there isn’t much concern about 2028.”
With the 2026 midterms on the horizon, speculation regarding the 2028 general election is brewing, particularly with leaders like California Governor and Representative Ocasio-Cortez eyeing the party’s presidential nomination.
