Strategist James Carville is criticizing his own Democratic Party, saying it acts like MAGA voters don’t exist and arguing this is partially why it lost the 2024 presidential contest.
Carville argued President Trump is speaking directly to supporters in the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement about their frustrations and offering them solutions. Democrats, he argued, need to work more on communicating to the wide group of people.
“The brilliant thing about MAGA is it gives you an explanation other than yourself of why your life didn’t turn out the way you wanted it,” he said during the latest episode of his “Politics War Room” podcast.
“And we should say to these people, we kind of understand what you were trying to say, but you were betrayed. Let’s also face it — Democrats acted like these people didn’t exist,” he added.
The political pundit said party members should have catered to the concerns of Trump supporters.
“Don’t come back and say we acted like working-class, particularly working-class noncollege whites, were not part of our too-cool-for-school group. There were some real, and some real high end people, that kind of bought into that s‑‑‑,” Carville said.
“And, you know, I can see it, but the best thing to do is not punch him in the mouth, but to say, ‘You know, man, I could hear where you’re coming from, and you just got betrayed. And we betrayed you somewhat and we now have learned our lesson,’” he added.
“I think that’s the best way.”
Carville said working-class white people have been alienated by both parties and noted that he understands their draw toward the Republican Party.