In the wake of significant electoral losses last month, the Democratic Party finds itself under fire for a controversial social media post that critics say mocks the economic struggles of everyday Americans.
The post, shared by the official X account of the House Ways and Means Committee Democrats, drew sharp rebukes before it was deleted.
The controversy began after USA Today reported that Americans spent a record $10.8 billion online on Black Friday this year.
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While the headline might suggest strong consumer confidence, further details in the article paint a more nuanced picture.
Many shoppers opted for “buy now, pay later” (BNPL) services, a modern layaway system allowing consumers to purchase items and pay for them in installments.
According to Adobe Analytics, BNPL sales accounted for $686.3 million of online purchases on Black Friday alone, with an estimated $864.1 million projected for the weekend.
This financial strategy reflects the struggles of many Americans trying to provide for their families amid rising costs and economic challenges.
For some, these services have become necessary in a climate where wages lag behind inflation, leaving fewer dollars in their wallets.
However, the context of these purchases was seemingly ignored by some left-leaning commentators.
Paul Brandus, a journalist operating under the handle “West Wing Report” on X, shared the article with a dismissive caption: “Record air travel, holiday shopping busting records, stock market at all-time highs. The economy is ‘the worst ever,’ some Pollyannas whine.”
Record shopping because what used to cost $100 now costs $150 so you can get 33% less things (whatever that number is) and still have record spending. See how that works?
— JWS08050 (@jws08050) December 3, 2024
The comment was quickly met with criticism, as many felt it trivialized the financial hardships faced by millions of Americans.
But the most inflammatory remark came from the official account of the Ways and Means Committee Democrats.
In response to the economic discussion, the account tweeted: “And here we were thinking y’all couldn’t afford eggs!”
Democrats deleted this tweet.
Americans have been struggling for FOUR YEARS to afford basic necessities and House Democrats are mocking them.
Talk about your all-time out of touch, disgraceful comments. @HouseGOP will deliver for hardworking Americans. pic.twitter.com/Sfs3tBzMnX
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) December 3, 2024
This comment, referencing the spike in egg prices earlier this year due to inflation, was widely seen as out-of-touch and dismissive of the struggles facing ordinary citizens.
Bidenomics 101: Eggs cost 39% more than they did when Pres. Biden took office. pic.twitter.com/iznTt8gl6H
— John Kennedy (@SenJohnKennedy) July 24, 2023
Critics noted that the post ignored the reality that higher spending during Black Friday was driven by inflation, not economic prosperity.
The tweet sparked outrage on social media, with critics accusing Democrats of mocking struggling families and failing to understand the economic strain caused by their policies.
Many pointed to rising costs for essentials like food, fuel, and housing, arguing that the record Black Friday sales reflected inflated prices rather than increased purchasing power.
“The elites just don’t get it,” one user wrote. “For them, it’s a joke. For us, it’s a real struggle to make ends meet.”
The backlash extended to the broader Democratic Party, with many accusing the party of doubling down on policies that have worsened economic hardships.
Observers noted that the messaging appeared to ignore the concerns that contributed to the party’s losses in recent elections.
The tweet was eventually deleted, but the damage had been done. The misstep highlighted what critics describe as an ongoing issue with Democratic messaging.
Rather than addressing the underlying concerns about inflation and the cost of living, some argue that party leaders and their surrogates are dismissing legitimate grievances from voters.
In a now-deleted follow-up, the House Ways and Means Committee Democrats account offered no apology but instead attempted to redirect attention to what they described as “record-breaking retail sales.”
The criticism comes amid a difficult economic landscape.
While the Biden-Harris administration has touted job growth and other metrics as signs of recovery, many Americans remain unconvinced.
Take a look at job openings by industry now versus a year ago.
Construction down 40%
Transport/warehouse down 44%
Federal gov’t down 42%
Manufacturing down 20%
Healthcare down 20%The hiring slump is across many industries now. This is no longer just a white-collar problem pic.twitter.com/7z34S042PI
— Heather Long (@byHeatherLong) December 3, 2024
Persistent inflation and rising interest rates have eroded disposable income, and the buy now, pay later trend underscores the challenges many households face in maintaining their standard of living.
Cumulative inflation is up more than 20% since Kamala took office.
ENERGY – 34%❌
GROCERIES – 22%❌
CARS – 18%❌
HOTELS – 42%❌ pic.twitter.com/r6SY4BRBlP— Team Trump (Text TRUMP to 88022) (@TeamTrump) November 1, 2024
As Democrats look to rebuild after their losses, incidents like this may serve as a cautionary tale.
Critics argue that dismissive rhetoric and tone-deaf messaging will only alienate voters further, particularly in a time when many are demanding substantive solutions to economic challenges.
While the deleted tweet may fade from memory, the sentiment it conveyed has left a lasting impression on voters who are still waiting for relief from policies they feel have left them behind.
For a party already facing challenges in reconnecting with working-class Americans, the road ahead may be steeper than expected.
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