Maggie Kulyk, a progressive donor and activist based in Atlanta, expresses deep concerns about President Donald Trump’s actions. She worries about his unilateral decisions to cut government size and impose steep tariffs, as well as appointing Elon Musk to a significant government role. Kulyk finds the deliberate chaos created by Trump to be alarming and terrifying. Additionally, she criticizes the national Democratic response as inadequate, describing it as outdated in today’s digital world.
Following their election losses last November, Democrats in Washington have struggled to present a unified front in opposing Trump, disappointing some donors and activists. Recent criticism has focused on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and nine other Democrats for supporting a GOP-backed funding bill to prevent a government shutdown. The party’s favorability rating has plummeted to a record low of 29%, with some supporters urging a more aggressive stance against the Republican agenda.
The dissatisfaction among Democratic supporters has led some to redirect their financial support towards House or state-level races rather than focusing on flipping the Senate. The retirement announcements of Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Tina Smith, and Gary Peters have further complicated the Democrats’ efforts to regain control of the Senate in the upcoming midterm elections.
Amid growing concerns, Democratic fundraisers like Alan Kessler in Philadelphia have observed a sense of despair and hopelessness among donors over how to counter the Trump administration’s actions. Some strategists and donors are now prioritizing winning the House, where Democrats have a better chance, rather than the Senate, which faces challenges due to retirements.
Despite setbacks, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee remains optimistic about their prospects in the midterms. They highlight strong fundraising efforts, particularly in digital platforms invoking Elon Musk, and believe they have opportunities to flip the Senate in 2022, with more Republican seats up for reelection.
The political landscape is shifting, with Republicans gaining ground in states where Democrats have traditionally held sway. In states like New Hampshire, former Republican Sen. Kelly Ayotte won the governor’s race and Trump increased his margin of defeat. Democratic donors are expressing frustration with the party’s response to Trump’s actions, feeling that Capitol Hill Democrats are not effectively addressing the challenges. Criticism has been directed at Senate Minority Leader Schumer for his handling of funding issues, with some donors redirecting their contributions to state-level races where they feel they can have a greater impact. Democrats are focusing on retaining and flipping governorships in key states, such as New Jersey and Virginia, to strengthen their hold on state legislatures. Donors like wealth manager Kulyk are shifting their support to grassroots organizations that aid marginalized communities under threat from the Trump administration. Progressive groups are facing financial struggles despite increased interest in political engagement, highlighting the need for more funding to counter the current political climate.
“There is a lack of funds to support those initiatives.” Democrats cannot afford to lose any donors, especially with Trump and his allies amassing significant resources for the upcoming midterms. As reported by CNN, Elon Musk, who generously contributed to Trump and Republicans during the previous election, has pledged substantial financial support to aid the GOP’s campaigns.
Despite being term-limited, Trump has raised over half a billion dollars since the election and is determined to heavily invest in maintaining the GOP’s control in Congress, defying the historical trend of the president’s party losing seats in the midterms.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, a vocal critic of the Trump administration and a key Democratic donor, expressed disappointment in Senate Democrats who collaborated with Republicans on a funding bill. He emphasized the importance of the party using its leverage to oppose the administration.
While some in Democratic fundraising circles are hesitant, there are those who believe it is premature to suggest that the party has failed to respond effectively to Trump’s actions. Democratic donors and activists like Shekar Narasimhan remain optimistic that the party will unite and focus on the necessary actions.
In the face of challenges, one Democratic donor emphasized the importance of staying united and not succumbing to panic. As more Americans experience the consequences of Trump’s policies, the Democratic Party’s message to voters is expected to resonate more strongly.
CNN’s Arit John contributed to this report. To stay updated with more CNN news and newsletters, please sign up for an account on CNN.com.
