After November’s brutal results
, Democrats are charting a new path by necessity
. That new path includes choosing a new chair of the Democratic National Committee, after current Chair Jaime Harrison declined to seek reelection.
The second forum
, hosted by CHORUS
, an online collective of influencers “coming together to end the far-right’s domination of online conversation,” will be held Tuesday night at 8 PM ET.
Four of the top candidates will be participating: Ben Wikler, who currently chairs the Democratic Party of Wisconsin; Ken Martin, chair of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party; former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley; and Dr. Quintessa Hathaway, an Arkansas congressional candidate in 2022.
Coming off of a devastating presidential election loss
, Democrats owned up to the fact that their approach to reaching young and working-class voters
just wasn’t as strong this election.
With theories abounding on why the left failed to rile up their base
, one thing is certain: Democrats need to meet young voters where they are and one guaranteed way is on social media, dialoguing with relatable personalities.
CHORUS
—a collective of impactful media personalities reaching and relating to people online—is hosting its first DNC Chair Forum Tuesday evening to bring the next stage of the Democratic conversation to the modern media environment. CHORUS’ team of creators are set to host and moderate a panel with the Democratic National Committee Chair
nominees.
Ahead of the livestream, which you can watch live on Daily Kos at 8 PM ET, we’re breaking down what we know about the forum so far and what you can expect.
Four of the top candidates for the DNC chair are expected to join the discussion: Ben Wikler, chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin; Ken Martin, chair of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party; former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley; and Dr. Quintessa Hathaway, an educator and former congressional candidate in Arkansas.
Ken Martin, president of the Association of State Democratic Committees, is another strong nominee for DNC chair.
Others including self-help guru Marianne Williamson
, who ran for president unsuccessfully in 2020 and 2024, put their hat in the race for the position, but have not been confirmed to be on the docket.
CHORUS’ list of creator hosts includes Brian Tyler Cohen, Leigh McGowan, Zacktivist, Elizabeth Booker Houston, and Adam Mockler.
Cohen
is a progressive political YouTuber who has interviewed political candidates such as Sen. Bernie Sanders, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, and more.
McGowan is “I Am Politics Girl
.” She is an author, podcaster and political commentator who has built a massive online community discussing current affairs and politics.
Zacktivist
is a TikToker bringing political commentary to current events like the rollback of DEI initiatives while also reporting on topics ranging from crime to his own relatable hot takes.
Houston
is a comedian and political activist who has brought awareness to bills and political movements through laughter and comedic commentary.
As for Mockler
, he is a Gen Z reporter appearing across broadcast channels and social media platforms alike sharing hot takes and reporting on current events.
Together, these creators amass not just a following of numbers but an interactive and engaging community that will bring a fresh set of eyes to the DNC’s upcoming election.
Following the first DNC chair forum
—there will be four total—one thing was agreed upon unanimously: Democrats need a total restructuring of how they relate to the working class. Every candidate seemed to echo this message during the forum, driving home the idea that the old ways and old D.C. “insiders” aren’t going to cut it anymore.
There has also already been an in-party standoff between Midwesterners Wikler and Martin as the two media darlings gobble up endorsements from DNC Democrats. Wikler has the backing of Sen. Chuck Schumer, The New York Times, Jon Stewart, and more as media outlets give the nominee airtime.
However, as Rolling Stone
reports, those inside the DNC fear Wikler’s relationships with billionaires during his time helping to flip Wisconsin blue and the impact that might have on the Democratic party. In other words, will Wikler be able to stand up to these giant donors should he receive the nomination.
And as Democrats look to voting for someone who has a handful of experience as a state party chair, party members look at Martin as an appealing option.
Voting for the chair position will take place Feb. 1. But don’t just take our word for it. Tune into the livestream Tuesday to get your own read on the future of the Democratic Party.
Prominent Washington Post opinion writer Jennifer Rubin announced Monday that she’s leaving her position
, citing owner Jeff Bezos’ capitulation to Donald Trump as a reason for her departure.
The news comes as the Post’s internal reports show declines in web traffic and revenue since the paper became friendlier toward Trump in the past year.
“Corporate and billionaire owners of major media outlets have betrayed their audiences’ loyalty and sabotaged journalism’s sacred mission—defending, protecting, and advancing democracy,” Rubin said in a statement. “The Washington Post’s billionaire owner and enlisted management are among the offenders. They have undercut the values central to The Post’s mission and that of all journalism: integrity, courage, and independence.”
Rubin’s departure comes just a few days after Pulitzer-prize winning editorial cartoonist
Ann Telnaes also quit
after the Post’s editorial page editor reportedly rejected a cartoon that depicted Bezos, along with other media executives, bowing to Trump and offering him cash (Bezos has donated
to Trump’s inaugural committee).
Additionally, three writers quit
the Post’s editorial board late last year after
Bezos pulled an endorsement
of Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential election. More than 250,000 people reportedly canceled their subscriptions
in protest of the editorial decision.
Citing internal Washington Post data, Semafor reported
that traffic to the newspaper’s website has collapsed over the last year. The Post reached its peak in January 2021 at 22.5 million active users, but that number cratered to around 2.5 to 3 million users by mid-2024.
Similarly, citing internal sources at the paper, The Wall Street Journal reported
that the Post took in $190 million in ad sales in 2023, but that dropped to $174 million in 2024.
Along with his Trump donations and editorial decisions, Bezos has publicly lavished praise
on Trump since his election win.
“Big congratulations to our 45th and now 47th President on an extraordinary political comeback and decisive victory,” Bezos wrote on X
. “No nation has bigger opportunities. Wishing [Trump] all success in leading and uniting the America we all love.”
But the recent backlash isn’t unique to the Post. At MSNBC, ratings went down
after the election, and hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski made a pilgrimage
to Mar-a-Lago to meet with Trump in an attempt to patch up their rocky relationship.
So far, the media’s cozying up to Trump appears to be bad for business. Let’s see if that continues into his second term.
Eight years ago, Michelle Obama stood beside her husband at Donald Trump’s first inauguration, marking a moment of national transition. Now as we approach Trump’s second inauguration on Jan. 20, it sounds like things are going to look a little different.
Michelle Obama’s office announced Tuesday that she will be skipping
Trump’s inauguration this year. Barack Obama has confirmed that he will be in attendance, along with George W. and Laura Bush and Bill and Hillary Clinton.
Michelle has been notably absent from key events this month, including the funeral
of former President Jimmy Carter. Her absence from such a significant moment drew attention, especially as Carter’s funeral became a gathering of former presidents and first ladies, many of whom have maintained cordial relationships with the Biden administration.
Barack and Michelle Obama stand beside Donald and Melania Trump during his first inauguration in 2017.
Michelle’s decision to buck tradition highlights the tense relationship
between the Obamas and the Trumps, a dynamic that has been anything but cordial over the years—except, apparently, when they’re face-to-face
—and an ethos from the Democratic Party that it will not normalize the rise of an authoritarian, “fascist
” leader.
The tension between Trump and the Obamas has been palpable for years. One of the earliest and most damaging attacks Trump leveled against Barack was the false and racially charged “birther
” conspiracy, which began in 2011. Trump falsely claimed that Barack was born in Kenya and, therefore, was ineligible to serve as president. This lie, which he perpetuated for years, was a key pillar in the rise of the MAGA movement—a campaign rooted in misinformation and divisiveness.
And throughout the 2016 campaign, Trump took aim at Michelle, an influential and respected figure in her own right. Trump has long used the word “nasty
” to describe women who challenge or disagree with him, and Michelle was no exception.
“I always tried to be so nice and respectful,” Trump once said. “She opened up a little bit of a box.”
Ever poised, Michelle called out Trump’s behavior with candor and clarity
“For years, Trump did everything in his power to try to make people fear us. His limited and narrow view of the world made him feel threatened by the existence of two hardworking, highly educated, successful people who also happened to be Black,” she said
during the 2024 Democratic National Convention.
Also during her DNC speech, she asked
, “Who’s going to tell him that the job he’s currently seeking might just be one of those ‘Black jobs?’”
Michelle’s decision to skip Trump’s inauguration is not just a personal one, but it also speaks to the larger context of the Obamas’ legacy and Democrats’ refusal to assimilate with an administration intent on setting fire to democracy.
According to recent reports, the world’s richest man is expected to have a front-row seat to the goings-on in the White House.
The New York Times
, citing two people who were briefed on the plans, reports that Elon Musk is readying to set up the toothless
Department of Government Efficiency, in the Eisenhower Building, which is just a hop, skip, and a jump away from President-elect Donald Trump’s White House. The Times said it’s currently unclear whether this will give Musk unfettered access to the West Wing, something that typically requires a “special pass.” Still, given his literal proximity to the White House, it’s clear that Musk is attempting to further extend his influence across Washington, D.C.
To that effect, Musk has already asked what his level of access to the West Wing will be, but there’s not a solid answer to that. The Times raised the possibility that Musk could receive an all-access pass by becoming a “special government employee,” a potentially salaried position that would give him more flexibility in terms of financial disclosures compared to regular members of staff.
The recent news of Musk’s move comes amid reports that Trump is increasingly annoyed
by him. Reporter Maggie Haberman of the NYT, previously told another reporter that the president-elect has been complaining about how Musk is “around a lot
.”
Indeed, it would make sense for Trump to create some distance between Musk and himself. There’s already a perception that Musk wields far too much political power, though Trump has attempted to dismiss any suggestion
that he’s ceded power to the high-profile billionaire. Plus, some of Trump’s most ardent allies, including Steve Bannon, who was an architect of Trump’s 2016 presidential win, really despise Musk
, and have not made it a secret.
Still, even if he’s right next to Trump, it’s unclear what exactly DOGE will look like or do or what Musk’s specific role will be. Not only do we not know the size of Musk’s team and his exact role, but DOGE is not an official government department and Musk is neither an elected official nor a federal employee. Plus, we don’t know whether Musk’s DOGE partner, Vivek Ramaswamy, will also have office space in the Eisenhower building.
Musk’s operation, which aspires to slash an unspecified amount
of government spending under a second Trump administration, currently operates out of his SpaceX offices in Washington, D.C.
But it’s not a complete surprise that he’s practically moving in with Trump—or at least attempting to. Musk has been glued to the president-elect for the better part of the latter’s campaign. Musk spent at least $260 million
to get Trump elected again and has since bullied elected leaders
, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, to get his priorities passed.
Maybe far-right conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer was right when she asserted that Musk is a “stage 5 clinger
.” After all, Musk was already “renting
” one of the residential spaces at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, for $2,000 a night.
But will the Oval Office be big enough for two ginormous egos and outsized personalities, let alone the various conflicts of interest
following Musk?
