JD Vance’s Surprise Reveal of Who Is Really Leading the Democrat Party [WATCH]

Vice President J.D. Vance said Friday that the Democratic Party has no clear direction or leadership—aside from opposing President Donald Trump at every turn.

Speaking on Special Report with Bret Baier, Vance addressed the lack of unity and leadership within the Democratic Party following Trump’s re-election in November.

With Democrats struggling to define their platform heading into the 2026 midterms and 2028 presidential cycle, Vance suggested the party has built its identity around resisting Trump’s policies.

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“I think to the extent the Democrats have a leader, Donald J. Trump is the leader of the Democratic Party,” Vance told Baier.

“Because they’re just against everything that he does.”

The vice president pointed to bipartisan initiatives led by President Trump, including efforts to rebuild American manufacturing and raise wages for steelworkers—policies Vance noted should have broad appeal.

“Who could possibly disagree with rebuilding American manufacturing and ensuring these steelworkers have higher wages and better jobs?” he asked.

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“But any time Donald Trump does anything, they have this emotional response, they have to be against. Who could disagree with deporting millions of illegal aliens, many of whom are violent criminals? But they do, they have,” Vance continued.

During the interview, Baier asked whether Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) could be the emerging figurehead of the Democratic Party.

Vance responded with a quip: “President AOC, the stuff of nightmares, Bret, thank you. You’ve ruined my sleep for this evening.”

Since Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz were defeated by the Trump-Vance ticket in the 2024 general election, Democrats have appeared fractured on leadership and messaging.

Polling data reflects the struggle.

A March CNN/SSRS survey showed that only 29% of Americans viewed the Democratic Party favorably—the lowest rating on record.

The same poll revealed that more than 30% of respondents were unable to name a Democrat who best represents the party’s core values.

Among those who did, 10% named Ocasio-Cortez, 9% chose Harris, 8% selected Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and 6% pointed to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY).

Vance suggested that the lack of a cohesive Democratic agenda makes him less concerned about the political landscape heading into 2028.

“Whenever Donald J. Trump does something, they react negatively to it. They don’t have real leadership,” he said.

“I think it’s why I’m not too concerned about 2028 because if I wake up in a fantasy world where the Democrats actually have constructive ideas about how to govern this country, that’ll actually be a good thing. But in the world that we actually live in, where they’re just anti-Trump about everything, the politics of 2028 will take care of themselves.”

Amid speculation about the future of the Democratic field, names like California Governor Gavin Newsom and Rep. Ocasio-Cortez continue to be floated as potential presidential contenders for 2028.

Neither has officially declared intentions to run, but both have made national appearances in recent months that have fueled political chatter.

As President Trump continues to implement his second-term agenda, the vice president’s remarks point to an administration confident in its direction—and increasingly unbothered by a Democratic Party still seeking a central figurehead.

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