CNN’s Scott Jennings Reveals Who is Really Leading the Democratic Party [WATCH]

CNN senior political commentator Scott Jennings said Sunday on State of the Union that President Donald Trump is the driving force behind the Democratic Party.

The remarks came during a panel discussion on the party’s future direction. Democrats have struggled since 2024 to unite behind a single leader or consistent message, though many continue to project confidence about their chances of regaining lost ground with voters.

Former Democratic National Committee spokesperson Xochitl Hinojosa downplayed speculation that socialist New York City mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani could rise as the party’s standard-bearer.

She instead pointed to figures such as Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker as potential leaders.

As host Jake Tapper highlighted Booker’s recent engagement, Jennings interrupted to argue that Democrats are still being defined by Trump’s presence in politics.

“Well, I mean, for the foreseeable future, the person who’s running the Democratic Party now is going to be running it, and that’s Donald Trump. I mean, the only thing they know how to do is be against whatever he is for, and so there is no leader of the party except for Trump. The beating heart of the Democratic Party is, ‘If Trump is for it, we’re against it,’ and you throw a little socialism on the side. That’s basically how they’re — ” Jennings said before being cut off by interjections from Democratic panelists.

“All right, thanks,” Tapper responded quickly.

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“Let the record reflect that the two Democrats at the panel disagreed with what he had to say.”

The exchange came as Democrats intensified criticism of Trump’s recent military order against Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua drug cartel. On Tuesday, the president announced that U.S. forces had sunk one of the cartel’s vessels, killing 11 individuals onboard.

In an MSNBC interview Thursday, Independent Veterans of America founder Paul Rieckhoff described Trump’s action as “alarming,” “unprecedented” and “dangerous.”

He accused the president of attempting to “overextend and abuse military power.”

Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler went further, demanding that Trump “face criminal charges,” alleging he acted as “the judge, jury and executioner” in authorizing the strike against the group.

Jerry Nadler wants Trump PROSECUTED for blowing up a boat full of drug-smuggling cartel operatives heading for the US:

“The president ought to face criminal charges.”

Retire already. pic.twitter.com/sR4ISj902J

— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) September 6, 2025

While Democrats continue to push back against Trump, the party is facing difficulties on multiple fronts.

According to a New York Times report released Aug. 20, Democrats lost an estimated 2.1 million voters across 30 states and Washington, D.C., between the 2020 and 2024 elections. In that same period, Republicans added approximately 2.4 million registered voters, gaining more new voters than Democrats from 2024 to 2025.

The party’s approval ratings have also declined significantly. A CNN poll from March showed Democrats with a 29% favorability rating, down 20 points from January 2021.

Similarly, a Quinnipiac poll released in July found that only 19% of respondents approved of Democratic congressional leadership.

Despite these setbacks, some Democratic lawmakers have expressed optimism about their chances of flipping the House in the midterm elections.

Meanwhile, speculation over the party’s long-term leadership continues. Some see Mamdani as a potential rising figure, while others point to California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Recent polling has placed Newsom at the forefront of discussions about the 2028 presidential election.

An Emerson College poll released Aug. 29 showed Newsom leading a hypothetical Democratic primary with 25% support, marking a 13-point increase from June.

On Polymarket, a betting platform, Newsom also led with 35% odds of becoming the 2028 nominee, followed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at 10% and Sen. Jon Ossoff at 6%.

With no official campaigns yet launched, other names are also being mentioned.

Commentator Stephen A. Smith said Friday that Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro are two Democratic governors well positioned to take the lead in shaping the party’s future.

The debate over who will guide Democrats moving forward continues against the backdrop of declining registration numbers, falling approval ratings, and an ongoing focus on opposing President Trump’s agenda.