It’s been a tumultuous stretch for the Democratic Party in the United States, as recent data and commentary from major news outlets paint a picture of a party struggling to find its footing. The numbers tell a striking story: between the 2020 and 2024 presidential elections, Democrats lost about 2.1 million voters across the 30 states that track registration by political party, according to a New York Times analysis. In that same period, the Republican Party gained 2.4 million registered voters, and continued to add more new voters than Democrats between 2024 and 2025. The implications of these shifts are resonating far beyond party headquarters—and they’re reshaping the media landscape as well.
According to CNN senior political commentator Scott Jennings, the Democratic Party’s current identity is almost wholly defined by its opposition to President Donald Trump. Appearing on "State of the Union," Jennings didn’t mince words: "The only thing they know how to do is be against whatever he is for, and so there is no leader of the party except for Trump." He went on to say, "The beating heart of the Democratic Party is, 'If Trump is for it, we’re against it.'" This is hardly a ringing endorsement of party unity or vision, and it underscores the perception—shared by many observers—that the Democrats are in a leadership vacuum, unable to coalesce around a central message or figure since the 2024 election.
This leadership crisis is reflected in the numbers. A March 2025 CNN poll showed the Democratic Party's favorability rating at just 29%, a dramatic 20-point drop since January 2021. The hits keep coming: a July 2025 Quinnipiac poll found that only 19% of respondents approved of the Democrats' congressional leadership. These are not the kinds of numbers that inspire confidence as the party heads into another election cycle.
The loss of registered voters is particularly worrying for party strategists. As reported by The New York Times, Democrats lost about 2.1 million voters across 30 states and Washington, D.C. during the past four years. Meanwhile, Republicans not only gained 2.4 million new voters in the same period, but have continued to outpace Democrats in voter registration since 2024. For a party that once prided itself on its broad coalition and grassroots energy, these statistics are a sobering wake-up call.
The media environment is shifting as well, and not in the Democrats’ favor. Left-leaning news outlets are seeing their audiences shrink. MSNBC, for example, drew between 800,000 to 1 million prime-time viewers in the first half of 2025—a respectable number, but one that’s trending downward, according to recent figures. CNN’s situation is even more precarious. The network’s second quarter prime-time viewership averaged just 538,000 total viewers. That’s a number that, in the words of one observer, amounts to "an unsustainable train wreck." It seems that viewers are voting with their remotes, and many are no longer buying what these networks are selling.
In stark contrast, right-leaning Fox News is thriving. The network remains the most watched news outlet in the United States, consistently ranking as the top cable news network in terms of viewership. Fox News frequently exceeds 2.4 million viewers in weekday prime-time, often outpacing broadcast giants like ABC and NBC. This dominance isn’t just a matter of ratings—it’s a reflection of the broader political realignment underway in the country.
The repercussions are being felt on the ground as well. Republican Congressman Lloyd Smucker, for instance, has reportedly avoided holding in-person town hall meetings. The rationale? With millions of Democratic voters already leaving a troubled party, there’s less incentive to engage with what some describe as "rowdy troublemakers." Whether or not this is a fair characterization, it highlights the growing sense of disengagement and frustration among Democratic voters.
Commentators have pointed to President Donald Trump’s polarizing leadership style as a driving force behind these shifts. Some, like Dale Horst of Elizabeth Township, argue that Trump’s influence is the main reason for the surge in new Republican voters. In a letter, Horst predicted that red baseball-style hats emblazoned with "TRUMP WAS RIGHT ABOUT EVERYTHING" are set to become popular stocking-stuffers this Christmas. While this is offered with a touch of tongue-in-cheek, it underscores the enduring appeal of Trump’s brand among his supporters—and the challenge his persona presents to Democrats seeking to define themselves outside his shadow.
So how did the Democrats get here? According to Jennings, the party’s inability to rally around a compelling message or leader has left it adrift. "For the foreseeable future, the true leader of the Democratic Party is President Donald Trump," Jennings said. This comment, aired on CNN’s "State of the Union" on September 7, 2025, captures the frustration of many within the party who see their agenda being defined by what they oppose, rather than what they stand for.
It’s not just a matter of leadership, either. The numbers suggest a broader crisis of confidence. According to the August New York Times report, Democrats have been hemorrhaging voters at a time when the Republican Party is consolidating its base and expanding its reach. The party’s favorability has tumbled to historic lows, as evidenced by the March 2025 CNN poll and the July 2025 Quinnipiac survey. With only 19% of Americans approving of Democratic congressional leadership, the party faces an uphill battle to regain the trust of the electorate.
Meanwhile, the media landscape is evolving in ways that may further complicate the Democrats’ efforts. The decline in viewership for left-leaning networks like MSNBC and CNN suggests that many Americans are tuning out traditional sources of liberal commentary. Some may be switching to Fox News, which continues to dominate the ratings and shape the national conversation.
For the Democratic Party, the road ahead is fraught with challenges. Voter registration numbers are down, favorability ratings have plummeted, and the party is struggling to articulate a clear, positive vision for the country. With the next election cycle looming, party leaders will need to find a way to reconnect with disaffected voters and present a compelling alternative to the Republican message. Until then, as Scott Jennings wryly observed, President Donald Trump may remain the most influential figure in Democratic politics—if only as the man they love to oppose.
The coming months will be critical for the Democrats as they attempt to regroup, redefine their message, and recapture the enthusiasm of their base. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and the outcome will shape the political landscape for years to come.
