The Democratic party is still trying to recover from President Donald Trump‘s second term, and it’s taking longer than anyone could imagine. Several prominent Black political voices like Texas Rep. Jasmine Crocker and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries have risen through the ranks amid this party reshaping. The problem is, however, Black Americans are skeptical about them… and the reasons why could prove detrimental to the entire Democratic party.
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For Democrats, Trump is a big bad wolf who needs to be stopped, and who better to go up against him than a Black man from New York?! Jeffries is seemingly cool, calm and collected, but as the Minority Speaker of the House of Representatives, Black Americans think he could be doing more.
In fact, Democrats in his own camp have expressed their doubts. Ashley Etienne, the former communications director for the vice president spoke to POLITICO saying she’s heard Jeffries is “too long and wrong about things.” According to her, the Democrat “takes too much council and then takes too long to make a decision,” which feels ineffective in the face of Trump’s onslaught of executive orders and erratic moves.
Whether it’s Jeffries holding back endorsing Zohran Mamdani, a rising Democratic socialist in his own state, or fighting toe-to-toe with Trump over his Big, Beautiful Bill Act, many like radio personality Charlamagne Tha God said Jeffries doesn’t “stand for anything.”
“Hakeem is a puppet,” Charlamagne continued on “The Breakfast Club.” “Hakeem’s not doing anything if Chuck Schumer don’t tell him to do it. And it’s simple as that,” he added after nicknaming the Democrat AIPAC Shakur– a clear jab at Jeffries, who has received over $1 million in donations from the pro-Israel political committee.
But while some Black folks like Charlamagne are skeptical of Jeffries, Rep. Crockett is also facing criticism for being too quick to clap back. Over the years, she’s secured a reputation for going directly after Trump and his MAGA followers. But some say Crockett is doing way too much.
“If it’s one person I cannot wait to see go bye, bye, it’s Jasmine Crockett,” @breakinthechainzpodcast said on TikTok. “Honey, you gon have to learn to do more than run your mouth.” The president has called her “low-IQ” after her many jabs aimed at him. But despite Crockett working overtime against Trump, political polls are still not in the Democrats’ favor.
The Democratic party’s popularity is at its lowest it’s been in the last three decades, according to a July poll from The Wall Street Journal. Only 33 percent of the nation reportedly approve of Democrats in office. This is a stark contrast from former President Barack Obama’s time in office, when Black Americans were invigorated to rep the Democratic party.
For many, Democrats going from a clear, direct leader like Obama to seemingly having no political direction is a sign that the party going downhill. And as the 2026 midterms slowly creep up, these Democrats are going to have to find a way to reach Americans– especially Black Americans who feel abandoned by both political parties.
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