In a candid moment on ABC News’ This Week, California Senator Adam Schiff acknowledged that the Democratic Party’s loss in the 2024 election was largely due to its failure to stay focused on the everyday economic concerns of Americans—particularly the rising cost of living.
Schiff’s comments marked a rare admission of missteps by party leadership. He suggested that Democrats were distracted by political fights and overlooked the importance of addressing voters’ financial struggles. Instead of clearly outlining how they would ease economic pressures, Schiff said, the party lost ground by not emphasizing the growing burdens many families are facing.
Inflation surged to 9 percent in mid-2022 under President Joe Biden, a sharp increase from the 1.4 percent rate when he took office. Despite the mounting costs, Biden and other Democratic leaders often downplayed the severity of the economic situation. The president continued to tout his accomplishments, even as many Americans were being squeezed by higher prices on essentials.
Schiff pointed to the recent State of the Union as a missed opportunity. When pressed by co-host Jonathan Karl about a Democrat’s outburst during former President Donald Trump’s address—and Senator John Fetterman’s subsequent criticism—Schiff admitted the party’s response lacked coordination and failed to address what voters cared about most.
“He spoke for over an hour and didn’t say a word about how he’d bring down costs,” Schiff said of Trump. He argued that Democrats should have used the moment to refocus attention on economic issues like housing, healthcare, and childcare—areas where many Americans continue to struggle.
Though Schiff criticized Trump’s handling of the economy, he stopped short of providing specific examples, instead emphasizing that the Republican approach is worsening the situation. “We lost because we didn’t keep the cost of living front and center,” he said.
Meanwhile, Trump appears to be gaining momentum. His recent tariff policies—while controversial—have coincided with a rise in public support. A DailyMail.com and J.L. Partners poll found his approval rating climbed to 53 percent, up from 49 percent just a week earlier.
The data suggests Trump is making unexpected inroads with key demographics. Support among young voters (18–29) has jumped 13 points, while favorability among Democrats, independents, and Black voters has also increased. When asked about Trump’s proposal for a 10 percent tariff on all imports, more Americans supported the idea than opposed it.
The same poll showed growing support for industry-specific tariffs, such as those on steel, metals, plastics, and aircraft. Trump’s trade stance, though divisive, is finding traction, especially as other nations begin to respond by easing their own tariffs on U.S. goods.
Business sentiment is shifting too. A recent RedBalloon and PublicSquare survey of over 50,000 small business owners found a majority now anticipate moderate to strong economic growth in the coming year. While some leaders noted the economy hasn’t yet “started to win,” they expressed confidence in Trump’s pro-business direction.
“He’s focused on cutting red tape and prioritizing American businesses,” said one respondent. “There’s still work to be done, but the direction is clear.”
As both parties prepare for the next phase of the election cycle, Schiff’s remarks underscore a critical takeaway for Democrats: voters want solutions to the challenges they face every day—and they’re willing to shift their support toward whoever offers the clearest plan.
