The New York Times Editorial Board has issued a stark warning to the Democratic Party, arguing that its leadership is in deep denial about the reasons behind its major losses in the 2024 election. The editorial, titled “The Democrats Are in Denial About 2024,” criticized party leaders for failing to acknowledge the real causes of their electoral collapse, which included losing control of the presidency, Senate, and House.
Published over the weekend, the editorial calls out Democratic leaders for clinging to misguided recovery strategies and refusing to accept that their policies—not just messaging—led to voter dissatisfaction. The board warns that unless the party embraces real change, it will continue to lose ground in future elections.
Democrats’ Favorability at Historic Lows
The Times’ editorial comes at a time when Democratic approval ratings have hit historic lows. According to recent national polls from CNN and NBC News, only 29% and 27% of respondents, respectively, hold a favorable view of the Democratic Party. These figures represent the lowest approval ratings for the party recorded by either outlet since the early 1990s.
Despite this, the editorial board slammed Democratic leaders for refusing to acknowledge the depth of their electoral failure. Instead, the party has blamed external factors such as post-pandemic inflation, while insisting that the issue is not their policies but their messaging.
“As comforting as these explanations may feel to Democrats, they are a form of denial that will make it harder for the Democratic Party to win future elections,” the board wrote.
Democrats Insist Their Message Is Right—But Voters Disagree
A key issue highlighted in the editorial is the belief among Democratic leadership that the party’s core message is not the problem—only their inability to communicate it effectively. The board specifically called out new Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin, who insists that the party has the “right message” but simply needs a better way to connect with voters.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a former Democratic vice-presidential candidate, also dismissed the need for significant policy changes. Instead, he pointed to the fact that “90 million” people did not vote in the last election, suggesting that Democrats just need to turn out more of their base rather than appealing to voters who backed President Donald Trump.
The NYT editorial board strongly rejected this approach, warning that ignoring swing voters and moderates will only cement the party’s losses.
“The party does not just need better turnout; it needs a reality check,” the board cautioned.
A Divided Party Faces Internal Struggles
Beyond their public messaging problems, Democrats are also facing internal conflicts that are further weakening the party. The editorial board warned that failing to address these fractures could have long-term consequences.
While progressives push the party further left, moderates have struggled to gain traction in policy debates. This has resulted in disjointed leadership and an inability to unify around a coherent strategy.
The board also criticized Vice President Kamala Harris, arguing that her presidential campaign failed to offer fresh ideas—a trend they say continues with other Democratic leaders.
NYT Board’s Stark Warning: America Needs a ‘Healthy’ Democratic Party
Despite its sharp criticisms, the New York Times Editorial Board did not hold back on its usual dire warnings about Donald Trump. The board painted Trump as a looming threat and emphasized that America needs a strong Democratic Party to counter his policies.
“The country needs two healthy political parties. It especially needs a healthy Democratic Party, given Mr. Trump’s takeover of the Republican Party and his draconian behavior.”
However, the board stressed that “restraining” Trump and his policies will only be possible if Democrats first acknowledge their failures and adapt.
Democrats’ Policy Failures Led to Republican Trust
The editorial also acknowledged a harsh reality: Voters trust Republicans more than Democrats on several key issues, including:
✅ Immigration
✅ Crime
✅ Government spending
✅ Global trade
✅ Foreign policy
This marks a dramatic shift from previous election cycles, where Democrats dominated public trust on social and economic issues. The NYT board warned that unless Democrats address these weaknesses, Republicans will continue to expand their influence.
Three Critical Steps for Democrats to Recover
In a rare move, the NYT Editorial Board also provided a roadmap for how Democrats can rebuild after their crushing defeat. They laid out three key steps the party must take to regain voter trust:
1️⃣ Acknowledge that President Joe Biden’s age was a major issue. The editorial urged the party to be more transparent about its leadership challenges.
2️⃣ Recognize that the party moved “too far left” on social issues after 2017. Many voters—especially moderates—felt alienated by the party’s shift toward progressive policies.
3️⃣ Introduce bold, new policy ideas. The board criticized Democrats for recycling old strategies instead of offering fresh solutions that resonate with the modern electorate.
Final Thoughts: Will Democrats Listen?
While the New York Times is often seen as a Democratic stronghold, this editorial signals growing frustration even among left-leaning voices. The party’s refusal to change after its 2024 election defeat has alarmed not just conservatives but also liberal analysts.
If Democrats ignore these warnings and continue with their current strategies, they risk further electoral setbacks—potentially paving the way for an even stronger Republican victory in 2028.
Only time will tell whether party leaders will take this advice seriously—or continue down the path of denial and decline.