Greg Gutfeld’s Critique of the Democratic Party’s Strategy: An Attack on Virtue Signaling Politics

On The Five on Fox News, Greg Gutfeld expressed that President Donald Trump’s victory made voters realize how the Democratic Party has exploited virtue signaling as a tool to “exploit” people. Gutfeld argued that the party’s use of virtue signaling as a way to persuade voters has led to a weakening of trust with the public, especially following the campaign of former Vice President Kamala Harris.

The Democratic Party’s “Virtue Signaling” Strategy

One of the major issues Gutfeld pointed out was that, in recent years, the Democratic Party has used virtue signaling as a strategy to attract voters without truly addressing the core issues that people face. He believes this approach does not genuinely help those in need, but instead serves the personal image-building interests of politicians who use it for self-promotion.

During Kamala Harris’ campaign, one controversial move was the release of a 90-second video in which a group of men repeatedly declared they were “man enough” to support women’s rights and not “afraid of women.” In addition, Harris introduced the “Opportunity Agenda for Black Men,” which promised one million $20,000 loans for black entrepreneurs. Gutfeld argued that all these actions were simply tactics to “elevate personal status” rather than offering real solutions to communities in need.

Criticism of Identity Politics

Gutfeld emphasized that the Democratic Party is facing a significant problem with its overemphasis on identity politics, where everything is viewed through the lens of identity and social hierarchy. He believes this makes the Democratic Party inward-looking, focusing on what’s happening within its own circles rather than seeking broader, practical solutions.

He criticized the party for concentrating too much on the pursuit of recognition and status within society, instead of genuinely addressing the issues facing those in need. According to Gutfeld, this focus on identity politics has created a political system where everything becomes transactional: “What do I get out of this?” and “Why do they get this and I don’t?”

The Democratic Party’s Struggles and Donald Trump’s Gains

One of the most notable results of Donald Trump’s victory was his significant gains among black and Latino voters—groups that the Democratic Party traditionally relied on. According to Reuters, Trump saw a 14-point increase among Hispanic voters since 2020, and also gained ground with black men in swing states like North Carolina.

This shift may be seen as a clear signal that the Democratic Party needs to change its approach if it hopes to win back voter trust. Especially among younger voters, who have moved away from identity-based issues and are more focused on finding practical solutions to societal problems, Gutfeld suggested that the Democratic Party should learn from the Republican Party’s approach, which is rooted in ideas rather than hollow “virtue signaling.”

The Future of the Democratic Party and a Warning

While the Democratic Party may still gain some seats in the 2026 midterm elections, Gutfeld warned that the real issue is not whether they win seats, but whether voters will continue to believe anything they say. Gutfeld emphasized that much of what the Democratic Party has claimed over the past four years has been false, weakening public trust in the party.

Gutfeld’s conclusion serves as a reminder for the Democratic Party that, unless they change their approach, they may continue to face diminishing support, particularly as voters, especially younger generations, are increasingly driven by practical ideas and effective policies, rather than symbolic gestures that fail to address real-world issues.