Make Democrats Funny Again

The party has defined itself entirely in opposition to Donald Trump and forgotten that people vote for the person they'd rather grab a beer with

- by JOE JACOBSON

COMIC CAMPAIGN Humor is a weapon that "disarms opponents, builds connections and makes people actually want to listen to you," Jacobson says.

DESPITE PRESIDENT DONALD Trump's claims, the 2024 election always felt less like a Trump victory and more like a Democratic collapse. Kamala Harris outspent Trump by nearly $700 million—only to get knocked out on the first night.

No amount of ads, door-knocking, or “all-star” consultants could make people like Democrats. And now, as America white-knuckles through a fresh constitutional crisis every other day, Democrats still can't figure out why voters keep turning them away.

For years, Democrats have branded themselves as the adults in the room—the stable, rational choice. But in practice, that has meant coming off as stiff, preachy and painfully out of touch.

We have positioned ourselves as the political equivalent of the no-fun hall monitor scolding you, while Elon Musk and company drink beer and crack jokes in the parking lot. Democratic leadership seems stunned that this approach is turning voters away. But the numbers don't lie—our approval ratings are at historic lows and it's time for the party to face the reality of the situation: we're not funny, we're uptight dorks.

We weren't always dorks. Democrats once had leaders like Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and the Kennedys—people you wanted to laugh and have a beer with. They weren't just competent; they were likable. They could connect, make people laugh and win voters with policy and personality.