Democratic Senator Michael Bennet stunned Washington with a blistering critique of his own party’s failures, leaving many in both parties wondering if the Democratic brand can recover. Bennet, a Colorado Democrat, vented his frustration on national television and held nothing back about what he sees as a crisis for Democrats coast to coast.

According to Fox News, Bennet told CNN’s Jake Tapper on Sunday that he is “furious” at the Democratic Party for failing to defeat President Donald Trump in two elections and believes the party’s image is now a national liability.

Bennet declared that Democrats must do far more than simply oppose Trump, arguing that the party’s inability to connect with working-class voters and address real problems has led to widespread disillusionment. He also acknowledged that many voters, including those in his own state, are not energized by the Democratic brand.

Party image under fire

During his interview, Bennet did not mince words about the state of the Democratic Party’s reputation. He stated that the party’s national image “doesn’t help very much anywhere” and pointed to the fact that Trump has now beaten Democrats in two presidential elections as clear evidence of a deeper problem. Bennet’s remarks came after Tapper referenced recent polling showing Democrats with record-low popularity.

The polling Bennet referred to is troubling for party strategists. An April survey cited by Fox News revealed a net negative 10% favorability rating for Democrats. Additional polls from Pew Research and the Wall Street Journal each showed 60% of Americans held an unfavorable view of the party. The statistics speak to a broader trust deficit between Democrats and the voters they hope to win back.

Bennet laid the blame at the feet of party leadership, saying that both his supporters and friends are “furious at Donald Trump,” but he himself is equally furious at his own party for not providing a credible alternative. He warned that failing to confront these issues will only lead to more disappointment in the future.

Working-class trust erodes

Bennet highlighted the Democratic Party’s struggle to reach working-class Americans, a group he says has steadily lost faith in the party’s promises. He described a middle class that is shrinking and students who are falling behind in schools as evidence that Democrats have yet to deliver meaningful solutions. Bennet’s concern is that these failures have contributed to the rise of Trump’s populist message.

He explained that many Americans sent Trump to Washington “to blow the place up,” expressing their frustration with what they see as self-interested partisanship in Congress. Bennet argued that the Democratic Party has not responded with the kind of policies or vision capable of restoring trust among disaffected voters.

Citing a September 2024 study by the Center on Reinventing Public Education, Bennet noted that students’ math and reading scores have not returned to pre-pandemic levels. He urged Democrats to address issues like education and the economy if they hope to regain the confidence of families who feel left behind.

Criticism of Trump and Democrats

While Bennet made clear that he does not support Trump, he said it is not enough for Democrats to simply attack the president. Instead, he called for a positive alternative that offers Americans a better path forward. Bennet asserted that Trump’s appeal is rooted in his willingness to disrupt Washington, not in any illusion about his character.

Bennet said, “I think it‘s very important for us to stand up against the insanity that Trump represents and the chaos that he represents, and show that there‘s something better. But, we should understand that there were a lot of people that voted for him for a reason, and that‘s because they wanted to blow up Washington, D.C. They‘re not surprised by his corruption, that‘s sort of a ratification of who he is. And we need to show people something different.”

Despite his harsh words for Trump, Bennet insisted Democrats cannot just rely on anti-Trump sentiment. Instead, he said the party must prove it can solve problems that matter to everyday Americans and present a vision that inspires hope rather than fear.

Gubernatorial ambitions and party crossroads

Bennet’s remarks come as he launches a campaign to succeed term-limited Colorado Governor Jared Polis in the 2026 midterm elections. Tapper asked Bennet if the Democratic Party’s unpopularity could hurt his own chances in Colorado, a state that has trended blue but is not immune to national political currents.

Bennet’s criticism is already generating debate within Democratic circles. Some party loyalists argue that public airing of such grievances only deepens internal divisions. Others say Bennet is voicing concerns many Democrats share privately but are hesitant to acknowledge publicly.

As the 2026 midterms approach, Bennet’s comments may serve as a wake-up call for Democrats who hope to reverse the party’s fortunes. Whether his appeal leads to real change remains to be seen, but his warning is clear: ignore the frustrations of working families at your own peril.