Staff Reports
Megyn Kelly’s latest show brought Emily Jashinsky on to argue that parts of the Democratic Party are having their own “Trump moment.” The idea is that insurgent progressives and Democratic Socialists are shaking up primaries, winning upsets, and bragging about building a movement. It makes for great TV — and dangerous politics for Democrats who hope to win in November.
Insurgent wins are real — but local and narrow
The facts are simple: DSA‑aligned and like‑minded progressive candidates scored notable primary wins in New York and a few other places. Mayor Zohran Mamdani has been celebrated in the press as a kingmaker, and DSA leaders like Megan Romer are upbeat about expanding reach. That is momentum — but it is also concentrated in cities where the Democratic coalition already skews young, highly educated and very left. Translate those wins to suburban swing districts and the math gets much harder.
“Trump moment” sounds dramatic — because it isn’t the same thing
Comparing this to President Trump’s insurgency is catchy, but it misses key differences. Trump flipped swing voters across multiple states and drew support from disaffected voters of many backgrounds. The DSA’s gains so far are geographically limited and rely on primary voters in Democratic strongholds. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and others in party leadership warn that infighting risks fracturing the coalition. Even Jaime Harrison, former DNC chair, has warned against fighting a two‑front war — and he’s right.
What to watch next: tests and consequences
The real test will be whether DSA‑backed candidates can survive nationalized GOP attacks in places like Denver, Detroit and South Florida. If their primary rhetoric and policy lists can be made to look “too radical” to swing voters, Democrats could hand Republicans easy November wins. How national Democratic leaders respond — accommodate, rein in, or spend heavily to protect incumbents — will decide whether this is a passing squabble or a lasting realignment.
In short: Democrats can cheer their new insurgents from the safety of deep blue districts, but national victory requires broader appeal. Megyn Kelly and Emily Jashinsky did the public a favor by putting the question plainly: is this a movement or a mess? For Republicans, the path is clear — expose the limits of the DSA playbook and let the midterms show whether this leftward turn is a winning strategy or a headline that fades by November.
