In Their Own Words
Segment #701
There are powerful forces that still reach into the internet and censor information. As the Democrats flail trying to convince us that they have purpose and direction, here are their leaders in the their own words.
Statements from Democratic Politicians (2020–2025)Focusing on the 2020–2025
Here’s a curated list of some of the most criticized or bewildering statements and actions from prominent Democrats. These often went viral for being factually inaccurate, awkwardly phrased, or politically tone-deaf, drawing mockery across the political spectrum. I've drawn from public records, speeches, and media coverage for verifiable examples. As always, gaffes are human but these highlight moments that sparked widespread ridicule.
These were selected for their viral impact, fact-check scrutiny, or role in fueling partisan divides.They drew widespread criticism from opponents, media, and even some within the party. Sourced from public records, news reports, and social media discourse.
Joe Biden (President, 2021–2025)
"We’re in the middle of a crises caused by this pandemic we’re looking at over 220 million Americans who just in the last several months died." Oct 2020
During a campaign speech on COVID-19, Biden wildly overstated U.S. deaths (actual toll was ~220,000 at the time, not millions). It fueled accusations of exaggeration and became instant meme fodder amid a real crisis.
"We choose truth over facts!" Mar 2020 At an Iowa rally, this slip during a policy discussion came off as a bizarre anti-science jab, especially ironic for a fact-checker-in-chief hopeful. Late-night shows ran with it for weeks.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident. All men and women created by — you know, you know, it's the thing." Jul 2024 (post-debate rally) Fumbling the Declaration of Independence preamble amid cognitive concerns, Biden's hedge ("you know the thing") echoed his 2020 "come on, man" defenses. It fueled "Weekend at Bernie's" memes and GOP ads, amplifying doubts about his fitness.
Kamala Harris (Vice President, 2021–2025; 2024 Presidential Candidate)
"The United States shares a very important relationship, which is an alliance with the Republic of North Korea, and it is an alliance that is strong and enduring." Oct 2022
In a speech on Asia-Pacific relations, Harris mistakenly called North Korea an "alliance" partner (it's an adversary). The flub highlighted foreign policy prep lapses and was clipped endlessly by critics. "When you think about it, there is great significance to the passage of time... the significance of the passage of time." Apr 2022
A meandering White House speech on infrastructure devolved into repetitive "word salad" on time's passage. It exemplified her criticized speaking style, spawning parodies on SNL and beyond. "We’re gonna have two million people across this border for the first time ever... we have a secure border." Sep 2022 Responding to questions on immigration as border czar, Harris contradicted herself spectacularly amid record crossings. It amplified perceptions of denial and policy failure. "Certain issues are just settled. Certain issues are just settled." Jul 2022
On codifying Roe v. Wade post-Dobbs, Harris looped the phrase awkwardly, dodging blame for Democrats' past inaction. Critics called it evasive and emblematic of elite disconnect.
"I think that, to be very honest with you, I do believe that we should have rightly believed, but we certainly believe that certain issues are just settled." Jul 2022 Same Roe event; the tangled logic drew laughs for incoherence, with clips going viral as "peak word salad."
Clapping and smiling to a Puerto Rican protest song chanting against U.S. "colonialism" and "Free Palestine." Mar 2024 During a Puerto Rico visit, Harris bobbed along until aides whispered the lyrics—then her face froze. The cringe moment symbolized cultural misreads and low approval ratings.
"What can be, unburdened by what has been... The significance of the passage of time." Sep 2022 (DNC speech) Harris's repetitive philosophizing on "unburdening" during a policy talk devolved into a loop that became a TikTok meme factory. Critics called it peak "word salad," eroding her 2024 campaign cred—SNL parodies racked up millions of views, portraying Dems as out-of-touch elites.
Tim Walz (Minnesota Gov.; 2024 VP Candidate)
"I’ve become friends with school shooters." Oct 2024 In a VP debate, Walz's attempt to discuss gun reform as a teacher backfired horribly, implying personal ties to perpetrators. He later clarified, but it became a brutal attack ad line.
"What a tater tot is... It's a little cube of heaven." Aug 2024 (VP debate prep clip) Walz's folksy Minnesota-ism during a gun control pivot was mocked as evasive and irrelevant—especially after his "friends with school shooters" flub. It became a late-night punchline, underscoring his "Midwest nice but policy light" vibe.
Nancy Pelosi (House Speaker Emerita)
"President Trump is morbidly obese." May 2020 Criticizing Trump's hydroxychloroquine use for COVID prevention, Pelosi's jab was factually false (Trump's BMI didn't qualify). It shifted focus from policy to petty insults, earning bipartisan eye-rolls.
"We have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it." Mar 2010 (resurfaced 2021 for Build Back Better) The old ACA gaffe was weaponized in 2021 debates over the $3.5T bill, implying secrecy. It haunted Dems during midterms, with ads labeling it "Pelosi's Black Box of Pork," eroding trust on spending.
Chuck Schumer (Senate Majority Leader, 2021–2025)
"I want to tell you, Gorsuch. I want to tell you, Kavanaugh. You have released the whirlwind, and you will pay the price. You won’t know what hit you." Mar 2020 At an abortion rights rally outside the Supreme Court, Schumer threatened justices over a potential ruling. Chief Justice Roberts rebuked it as "dangerous," forcing Schumer's half-apology amid violence concerns. At a Planned Parenthood rally outside the Supreme Court, Schumer warned justices over an abortion case. Chief Justice Roberts called it "dangerous," sparking bipartisan rebukes for threatening violence. Schumer's half-apology ("I shouldn't have used those words") amplified perceptions of overreach, fueling GOP attack ads.
"For every blue-collar Democrat we lose in western Pennsylvania, we will pick up two moderate Republicans in the suburbs in Philadelphia, and you can repeat that in Ohio and Illinois and Wisconsin." 2016 (resurfaced 2020–2025 Meant as a strategy for suburban gains, but post-2020 losses (e.g., Doug Jones's defeat) made it look presciently wrong. Critics mocked it as elitist dismissal of working-class voters, tying into 2024 Dem struggles and Schumer's low approval (39% unfavorable among Dems per Pew).
Hillary Clinton (2024 Campaign Surrogate)
"Camel-la" (mispronouncing Kamala Harris's name) and a dry Trump impression suggesting he'd send critics to "supermax." Aug 2024 At the DNC and rallies, Clinton's flubs (name gaffe plus awkward mimicry) as a Harris booster highlighted generational disconnects. The Trump bit bombed, per crowds and clips.
Barack Obama (Former President; 2024 Endorser)
(Implied in 2024 coverage: Overstated warnings on Project 2025 as "fascism" without specifics.) Oct 2024 In campaign speeches, Obama's hyperbolic rhetoric on GOP plans echoed past gaffes like 2012 Medicare distortions. Critics called it fearmongering, diluting his gravitas.!
Ilhan Omar (U.S. Rep., D-MN)
"We can't stop bad people from saying bad things, but we can drown out their voices... The only thing that is going to create change is us... We have to bring the noise." Jul 2020 During a virtual town hall amid Black Lives Matter protests, Omar's call to "bring the noise" against "bad people" (implying opponents) was clipped and shared widely as endorsing disruption or violence. Critics, including Republicans, accused her of inciting unrest, especially post-George Floyd, leading to death threats and GOP demands for censure. Full context showed it as metaphorical activism, but the phrasing amplified Islamophobia and Squad-targeted attacks. factcheck.afp.com
Maxine Waters (U.S. Rep., D-CA)
"If you see anybody from that Cabinet in a restaurant, in a department store, at a gasoline station, you get out and you create a crowd. And you push back on them. And you tell them they're not welcome anymore, anywhere." Jun 2018 (resurfaced 2020–2021) Originally aimed at Trump officials over family separations, but recirculated during 2020 election cycles and Jan. 6 aftermath as evidence of Democratic hypocrisy on "incitement." GOP leaders like McConnell condemned it as mob encouragement, forcing Waters to defend it as non-violent protest. It became a staple in Trump-era attack ads. factcheck.afp.com
Ayanna Pressley (U.S. Rep., D-MA)
"We don’t need any more brown faces that don’t want to be a brown voice. We don’t need black faces that don’t want to be a black voice. We don’t need Muslims that don’t want to be a Muslim voice. We don’t need queers that don’t want to be a queer voice." Aug 2020 In an interview on systemic racism, Pressley's push for authentic representation in activism was twisted by critics as a "purity test" excluding moderates or non-confrontational minorities. It fueled intra-party rifts and conservative memes about "Squad extremism," drawing rebukes from centrists like Pelosi. factcheck.afp.com
Terry McAuliffe (VA Gubernatorial Candidate)
"I don’t think parents should be telling schools what they should teach." Sep 2021 During a debate on education standards (e.g., critical race theory), McAuliffe's line was hammered by Republicans as dismissive of parental rights, contributing to his narrow loss to Glenn Youngkin. It epitomized Democratic struggles with "culture war" issues, becoming a national GOP talking point for 2022 midterms. washingtonpost.com
Phil Murphy (NJ Governor)
"We will tax the hell out of the rich... That's how we pay for things." 2019 (resurfaced 2021) Meant as a progressive pitch for funding social programs, but ads replayed it during Murphy's 2021 reelection as evidence of overreach amid inflation concerns. Though he won narrowly, it highlighted Democratic vulnerabilities on taxes, with critics labeling it class warfare. washingtonpost.com
Elizabeth Warren (U.S. Sen., D-MA)
"The system is rigged." Aug 2016 (echoed 2020–2024 campaigns) Warren's anti-Wall Street mantra, revived in 2020 primaries and 2024 surrogacy, was praised by progressives but slammed as demagoguery by moderates and Republicans. Post-2020, it was accused of eroding trust in institutions, especially after Jan. 6, and tied to "socialist" smears in ads. time.com
"I proposed a wealth tax because billionaires aren't paying their fair share... And yes, I have a plan for that." Feb 2020 (CNN debate) Warren's "I have a plan" mantra, repeated ad nauseam in primaries, became a self-parody when her wealth tax math was shredded by economists (e.g., revenue shortfalls). It symbolized 2020 Dem overreach, memed as "Plan-B: Lose the Primary."
Jamie Raskin (U.S. Rep., D-MD)
"Project 2025 amounts to a plan to upend democratic government as we know it... weaponizing the Department of Justice against political rivals and the people." Sep 2024 In a House Oversight hearing, Raskin's attack on the Heritage Foundation's blueprint was lauded by Democrats but dismissed by Republicans as hyperbolic fearmongering. It fueled 2024 campaign ads but backfired when Trump distanced himself, making Dems seem alarmist. oversightdemocrats.house.gov
"They want to kick it to Congress so it’s going to be up to us on January 6, 2025, to tell the rampaging Trump mobs that he’s disqualified and then we need bodyguards for everybody in civil war conditions." Feb 2024 At a D.C. bookstore on Trump v. Anderson, Raskin's hyperbolic insurrection scenario drew mockery as fearmongering. Post-SCOTUS ruling, it aged poorly; critics like The Dispatch called it "civil war hysteria," amplifying 2024 conspiracy narratives.
Rashida Tlaib (U.S. Rep., D-MI)
"Project 2025 would take aim at workers’ pay checks including overtime pay protections... We would be ignoring a critical component of Project 2025 if we did not address the fact that its creators have been secretly peddling a 180-day playbook." Sep 2024 Tlaib's floor speech linked the plan to labor rollbacks, drawing cheers from unions but accusations of exaggeration from fact-checkers (e.g., no explicit overtime ban). It intensified Squad vs. establishment tensions and GOP counter-narratives of "secret plots." oversightdemocrats.house.gov
Zohran Mamdani (NYC Mayoral Candidate) "We have to make clear that when the boot of the NYPD is on your neck, it’s been laced by the IDF." 2023 (resurfaced Oct 2025) At a pro-Palestine conference, Mamdani equated NYPD tactics to Israeli Defense Forces, igniting anti-Semitism charges from Jewish groups and police unions. Broadcast networks largely ignored it, per conservative outlets, but it derailed his campaign amid NYC's diverse electorate. newsbusters.org
Graham Platner (ME Senate Candidate)
"All cops are bastards... Why don’t black people tip?... Rural white people are actually racist and stupid." Pre-2020 (resurfaced Oct 2025) In old social media posts, Platner's rants included communist self-labeling and a Nazi-linked tattoo. Revealed during his 2026 bid, it prompted Democratic distancing and minimal network coverage, highlighting progressive vetting failures in red-leaning states. newsbusters.org
Jasmine Crockett (U.S. Rep., D-TX)
(On Marjorie Taylor Greene's apology for past rhetoric:) "We can work together on lawmaker safety... but scars from her incendiary past run deep." Sep 2025. Crockett's olive branch after Greene's Holocaust comparison remorse was praised for bipartisanship but criticized by hardliners as naive. It exposed party fractures on "reaching across the aisle" post-Jan. 6. cnn.com
"The fact is, ain’t none of y’all trying to go and farm right now… we done picking cotton."Apr 2025 Defending immigration at Grace Baptist Church's 125th anniversary, Crockett argued migrants fill essential jobs amid Trump's deportation threats. Critics blasted it as a racist trope evoking slavery, ignoring Black farmers' history—social media erupted with "cotton-picking" backlash, and Babylon Bee satirized her as a "race-hustling dimwit." It amplified her "divisive vitriol" rep, per X threads, and tied into her Senate run scrutiny.
(On Byron Donalds and Black conservatives:) "Skinfolk who definitely are not our kinfolk." Also accused Donalds (Black, married to a white woman) of being Mar Apr 2025 2025 In speeches and interviews critiquing Black Republicans supporting Trump, Crockett's phrases were slammed as intra-racial gatekeeping and racist—accusations escalated when she implied interracial marriages dilute "Blackness." Black Enterprise and X users called it "performative" and "electoral poison" in diverse Texas, fueling "skinfolk" memes and GOP ads on her "far-left agenda."
(Linking deportations to inflation:) "Groceries are unaffordable because of President Trump’s immigration policies." 2025 Blaming Trump's deportations for rising food prices, Crockett ignored economists' views on supply chains and energy costs. Breitbart dubbed it "bizarre" and economically illiterate; X clips amassed millions of views mocking her as clueless on basics like labor economics, especially post-Biden inflation spikes.
(On violent crime:) "The vast majority of violent crime comes from white supremacists." Also called Trump a white supremacist who "needs to go." 2024 - 2025 Pushing for gun reform and anti-extremism bills, Crockett's stats were fact-checked as overstated (FBI data shows diverse crime sources). It drew "hysterical" labels from conservatives, tying into her "rage and hatred" narrative—Kevin Sorbo tweeted it "takes the cake" for dumb takes, amplifying Squad-style overreach.
(On Trump's health:) "'Actual medical professionals' told [me] 'for sure' Trump had a recent stroke." Oct 2025 On a podcast, speculating Trump needed Walter Reed imaging post-rallies, Crockett offered no evidence or names. Daily BS called it "unhinged armchair neurology," hypocritical given her Biden silence; it fueled "conspiracy queen" mockery on X, especially after Trump's "whirlwind" Mideast deals.
(On Latinos voting Trump:) "Latinos have a slave mentality." Late 2025 Dismissing ~60% Texas Latino Trump support as self-oppressive, per X recaps. It ignited "racist" firestorms from Latino groups and conservatives—Rachel on X called her "electoral poison," tying into her "no appeal to swing voters" stance, which alienated moderates in red-leaning TX.
"Just because someone has committed a crime doesn't make them a criminal. Being a criminal is about your MINDSET... Committing a crime can come from a lot of different reasons!" Dec 2025 Defending migrants/ICE policies on The Blaze clip, Crockett argued against blanket "criminal" labels. X users and Blaze called it "wild" and pro-crime soft-on-sentencing; it clashed with her lawyer background, drawing "dumbest claim yet" ridicule amid rising urban crime debates.
"We need illegals to pick our crops and clean our hotel rooms since the educated won't." Mar 2025 Echoing her cotton remark in a Clown World viral video (2K+ likes), defending migrant labor. It was memed as elitist and anti-American worker, with 1K+ replies calling it "peak clown world"—tied to her "done picking cotton" as tone-deaf to U.S. job dignity
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortress (U.S. Rep., D-NY)
"Unemployment is low because everyone has two jobs. Unemployment is low because people are working two jobs." Oct 2021 (CNN interview). AOC's attempt to spin Biden's jobs numbers as a "bad thing" (due to gig economy struggles) was fact-checked as misleading—actual unemployment was near historic lows. It backfired as tone-deaf to working-class voters, spawning "AOC Economics 101" ridicule on Fox and X.
"We need to invent technology that’s never even been invented yet." 2020 Climate Gearing Pushing Green New Deal, AOC's vague futurism (e.g., carbon capture) was mocked as sci-fi fluff. Quora/YouTube compilations ranked it top "dumb AOC quote"; critics said it showed policy overreach without details.
Gavin Newsom (CA Governor)
"We've got the best economy in America because of our diversity... We have 40% of the Fortune 500 headquartered here? No, that's not true. But we have more." Jan 2023 (SOTU response) Newsom's brag on CA's economy ignored its homelessness crisis and exodus; the Fortune 500 claim was debunked (TX leads). Amid his 2024 prez whispers, it painted him as delusional, with clips going viral as "CA Dreamin' Nightmare."
Pete Buttigieg (Transportation Sec.)
"It's never been harder to build anything in America... We're going to make it better." Apr 2023 (Fox interview) Pete's defense of Biden's infrastructure delays (e.g., train derailments) came off as admitting failure while in charge. Critics hammered it as "Mayor Cheat's" excuse-making, with X threads calling it the "dumbest admission of incompetence."
Ro Khanna (U.S. Rep., D-CA)
"We need to tax billionaires at 70%... That's how we fund Medicare for All." Jun 2022 (podcast) Khanna's progressive pitch ignored CBO scores showing it'd barely dent costs; critics called it "math allergy" economics. It fueled 2022 GOP ads on "tax-and-spend stupidity," alienating moderates.
Cori Bush (U.S. Rep., D-MO, until 2024)
"Defund the police means reallocate... Not abolish, but invest in communities." Aug 2020 (town hall) Bush's post-Floyd clarification came too late— "defund" chants had already sparked backlash and crime spikes in cities. It epitomized Squad overreach, with her 2024 primary loss blamed partly on the "dumb optics."
Swalwell (U.S. Rep., D-CA)
"Please tell me what I’m missing here... When did we stop trusting experts? This is so stupid." (On parents controlling kids' education)Nov 2022Tweeting against parental rights in schools (e.g., CRT debates), Swalwell compared it to parents picking surgeons. Backlash called it anti-family elitism; memes exploded on X, with critics noting patients choose doctors. It hurt Dems in 2022 midterms on culture wars.
"Why won’t Elon show us the savings from DOGE? What’s he hiding?" Feb 2025 Attacking Musk's efficiency cuts, Swalwell ignored public DOGE reports (e.g., via X dashboards). Labeled "dumbest attack yet" by outlets like RedState; it backfired as uninformed, especially after Musk's viral clapbacks on bureaucracy.
Jasmine Crockett (U.S. Rep., D-TX)
"It is not a criminal violation to enter the country illegally… It’s not a crime." Mar 2025 On MSNBC defending immigration, Crockett ignored 8 U.S.C. § 1325 (misdemeanor for first illegal entry). OutKick called it her "dumbest statement ever"; viral clips fueled GOP ads, contradicting her border security votes.
"Y’all know we got Gov. Hot Wheels down there... the only thing hot about him is that he is a hot ass mess." Mar 2025 At an LGBTQ event, mocking TX Gov. Greg Abbott's wheelchair. Bipartisan outrage (even Dems) for ableism; Texas AG Paxton called it "despicable." Crockett claimed policy focus, but it derailed her Senate run buzz.
Gavin Newsome, California Governor Since 2019
"We've got the best economy in America because of our diversity... We have 40% of the Fortune 500 headquartered here? No, that's not true. But we have more." Jan 2023 Newsom bragged about California's economic edge over DeSantis's Florida, but fact-checkers (e.g., Politifact) debunked the Fortune 500 claim—Texas leads with 54, California has 51. Amid CA's 13.3% poverty rate and mass exodus (500K+ residents left 2020–2022), it came off as delusional denial, spawning memes like "Newsom's Alternative Facts" on X and Fox segments calling it "peak liberal arrogance." latimes.com
(On French Laundry scandal:) "I made a bad mistake... But let's be honest, it was an error in judgment." (After photos emerged of him maskless at a $410/plate dinner during his own COVID lockdown orders.) Nov 2020 Newsom dined at the upscale Napa Valley spot with lobbyists while enforcing strict stay-at-home rules for average Californians. The hypocrisy exploded—recall effort signatures surged 50%, and it became a GOP ad staple ("Do as I say, not as I do"). Late-night shows roasted it as the "dumbest own-goal" of the pandemic, eroding trust in his leadership. nj.com
"California is a nation-state... We're the fifth-largest economy in the world because of immigrants." June 2021 (Dreamers Speech) Hyping immigrant contributions amid border debates, Newsom ignored CA's $68B budget deficit and sanctuary state backlash. Critics slammed it as virtue-signaling fantasy—CA ranks 5th globally only by GDP sleight-of-hand (tied to U.S.), and it fueled "Calexit" mockery. X threads called it "dumb geography," tying into his 2021 recall survival by just 5 points.
"Homelessness is a complicated issue... But we're making progress with billions invested." (Despite 181K homeless in 2024, up 20K from 2020.) Jul 2024 (Press conference on encampment ban) Newsom touted $24B in spending while signing a statewide ban on street camping—contradicting his prior "housing first" stance. The flip-flop drew "too little, too late" fire from progressives (e.g., AOC tweets) and conservatives mocking the "billions for tents" failure. It became a punchline in Trump rallies: "Newsom's $24B hotel for hobos?"
"FOX HATES THAT I AM AMERICA’S FAVORITE GOVERNOR (‘RATINGS KING’) SAVING AMERICA – WHILE TRUMP CAN’T EVEN CONQUER THE ‘BIG’ STAIRS ON AIR FORCE ONE ANY MORE!!! … FOX IS LOSING IT BECAUSE WHEN I TYPE, AMERICA NOW WINS!!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER." ug 2025 (X post from press office )Mimicking Trump's all-caps rants to troll Fox coverage, Newsom's account devolved into parody memes (e.g., himself on Mt. Rushmore). It thrilled Dems but backfired as "childish" per Fox hosts like Jesse Watters ("Daddy? Very weird"), who dedicated segments to it. Critics called it the "dumbest ego trip," boosting his followers but alienating moderates amid 2028 prez buzz.
Do people with dementia repeat the same falsehoods and crazy conspiracies over and over again?" (Screenshot of AI query about Trump, followed by: "Bumbling idiot.") Sep 2025 (X post) jabbing Trump's election lies, Newsom shared a ChatGPT response implying dementia. It escalated their feud but drew "classless" backlash—even from some Dems—for weaponizing health tropes (ironic post-Biden scrutiny). X memes flipped it: "Newsom's AI therapy session?" Fox called it "dumb desperation" as Trump's approval hit 52%. nj.com
"I know folks say, ‘Oh, they’re just cleaning up this place because all those fancy leaders are coming into town.’ That’s true because it’s true." November 9, 2023 (Press conference unveiling Clean California tree-planting initiative) Newsom was defending the sudden street cleanups and encampment removals as part of his broader $1.2 billion beautification program, but he admitted the APEC visit (with Xi as a key attendee) accelerated efforts. Critics, including Republicans like Sen. Brian Jones, called it a "slap in the face" to Californians, noting the city spent years ignoring the issues despite $24 billion in state homelessness funding.