The Democrats Could Still Mess This Up

Will they finally capitalize on Trump’s chaos?

Hosted by Ross Douthat

Produced by Victoria Chamberlin

Mr. Douthat is a columnist and the host of the “Interesting Times” podcast.

The 2024 election didn’t just return Donald Trump to the White House. It also left the Democrats confronting a potentially era-defining defeat. But here we are in 2026: President Trump is deeply unpopular and Democrats are leading in the midterm polls.

Still, I want to know, what are they actually for? Have they learned anything from their 2024 defeat on immigration, especially?

Do they have leaders who are capable of speaking to swing voters while also wooing a party base that’s girded for an existential battle? And are they ready for the dawning age and the new politics of artificial intelligence?

Who better to answer all of these questions than my guest this week, Chris Hayes, who spends every weeknight talking to some of the most liberal viewers in America as the host of “All In With Chris Hayes” on MS NOW.

And I just want to note, Chris and I recorded this conversation just before President Trump launched a military campaign against Iran, but I don’t think the issues we discussed have changed that much, or at least not yet.

The Democrats Could Still Mess This Up

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Ross Douthat has been an Opinion columnist for The Times since 2009. He is also the host of the Opinion podcast “Interesting Times.” He is the author, most recently, of “Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious.” @DouthatNYT • Facebook

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