During an exchange on PBS’s Firing Line with Margaret Hoover, Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., didn’t mince words about the Democratic Party’s need for a tougher edge. Just six months into her Senate tenure, Slotkin expressed frustration with her party’s habit of tiptoeing around issues, driven by fears of sparking controversy or backlash, especially online.
Host Margaret Hoover referenced former President Barack Obama’s recent call for Democrats to “toughen up” against political opponents, including Donald Trump. Noting Slotkin’s own push for more “alpha energy” in the party, Hoover asked if the two shared the same view.
“I don’t know if we’re saying the exact same thing, but it sort of smells the same, right,” Slotkin stated. She criticized Democrats for being overly cautious, bogged down by concerns about offending others or igniting online firestorms.
“Democrats are so careful, and they’re so caveated, and they’re so worried about offending each other, offending other people, they’re so worried about p*ssing off people on the Internet. They live often in a world where they constrain themselves.”
When Hoover asked if Democrats are “too sensitive,” Slotkin didn’t beat around the bush. “I think some of them, sure, are too sensitive,” she replied. With Trump back in the White House, Slotkin argued that now is not the time for restraint.
“This is just not a moment to be careful and polite. We need a plan. We need to be on the same page. We need to play as a team. We need to call out when someone isn’t helping the team. And we need to hug someone when they do something great.”
Hoover then probed whether Democrats fear their own party’s factions, unlike Republicans who seem wary of Trump. Slotkin pointed to an unexpected factor: the power of social media, particularly X.
She shared her surprise at hearing colleagues shy away from bold stances due to anticipated online criticism. “I’ve been shocked — you know, I’m new to the Senate, six months in — how many of my peers said, ‘Well, Elissa, I’d love to be with you on that issue, but, you know, Twitter will be mad. You know, the Internet people will be mad at me,’” she said.
When Hoover pressed for confirmation, Slotkin nodded. “Yeah. There’ll be a bad online response.”
WATCH:
Democratic @SenatorSlotkin says some Democrats have become "too sensitive" and too concerned about offending people online.
"I've been shocked… how many of my peers said, well, Elissa, I'd love to be with you on that issue, but Twitter will be mad." pic.twitter.com/156VVBAY0N
— Firing Line with Margaret Hoover (@FiringLineShow) July 23, 2025
Slotkin’s comments align with Obama’s blunt remarks at a July fundraiser, where he urged Democrats to stop “navel-gazing” and “whining.”
Per CNN, Obama said, “I think it’s going to require a little bit less navel-gazing and a little less whining and being in fetal positions. And it’s going to require Democrats to just toughen up.”
For Slotkin, the message is clear: Democrats must shake off their fear of pushback—whether from within their party or the digital sphere—and adopt a bolder, more cohesive strategy to tackle today’s political challenges.
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