Some Democratic strategists are reportedly reaching a point of political desperation so severe, they’re openly hoping for the economy to collapse as a way to revive their party’s fortunes.
In a Tuesday report by The Hill, several Democratic operatives acknowledged that the party is floundering in the wake of President Donald Trump’s decisive 2024 election victory — and they’re increasingly out of ideas. One unnamed strategist told the outlet in blunt terms:
“This is a nightmare scenario for the Dems right now. We better pray long and hard that the country is going to be in a f‑‑‑ing depression, because I don’t know how else we find ourselves out of this mess.”
It’s a shocking admission — not just of political failure, but of a willingness to embrace national economic pain for the sake of electoral gain.
The remarks come as multiple polls show Democratic approval ratings hovering at historic lows, with the party still struggling to define a coherent message nearly six months into Trump’s second term. A poll conducted between May and June by the Democratic super PAC Unite the Country found that voters overwhelmingly described the party as “out of touch,” “weak,” and “woke.” Worse, they’ve yet to rally around a national leader following the 2024 defeat.
Rodell Mollineau, a senior adviser to Unite the Country, was candid in his assessment:
“It’s hard to message when you’re in the wilderness, which is what we are right now.”
Another Democratic strategist, Brad Bannon, echoed that frustration:
“We are still as unpopular as we were when Trump was inaugurated in January.”
He added, however, that Republicans’ recent legislative wins, including the controversial “Big, Beautiful Bill,” might offer Democrats some ammunition for a counteroffensive — specifically pointing to Medicaid cuts, immigration enforcement, and new tariff policies.
Yet the underlying issue remains: the party appears adrift, and some of its members are openly rooting for economic collapse to regain relevance. That level of cynicism drew sharp criticism from the Trump White House.
“Fueled by a worsening case of TDS, Democrats are saying the quiet part out loud by openly and shamefully rooting against the prosperity of Americans,” said White House spokesperson Kush Desai. “Not even a divine intervention could save Democrats from being power-hungry lowlife sociopaths.”
Prominent figures within the Democratic orbit aren’t holding back either. Billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban torched the party’s post-election messaging during a recent episode of Pod Save America, saying:
“It’s just ‘Trump sucks.’ That’s the underlying thought of everything the Democrats do. That’s not the way to win!”
Former Chicago mayor and Obama chief of staff Rahm Emanuel was equally blunt, telling CNN’s Dana Bash:
“The Democratic Party is less popular than Elon Musk right now. That should be a wake-up call — how bad.”
At this point, Democrats face a dilemma: double down on anti-Trump messaging, or rebuild a credible platform rooted in economic, social, and cultural relevance. Based on the current tone of internal strategists, many appear unsure which path — if any — will lead them out of the political wilderness.
