Fierce or Fractured? Democrats’ Rhetoric Risks Backlash in 2026

Byline: Olson Strategies Staff
 

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With the recent chaos at Congressman Nadler’s Manhattan office and their party leaders calling for a “fiercer” Democratic Party, Americans are asking a simple question: how much fiercer can it get?

Olson Strategies’ Dustin Olson joined Newsmax’s National Report with Katie Frost and co-hosts Marc Lotter and Emma Rechenberg to unpack the mounting rhetoric, recent violence, and extreme tactics coming from the left—and the real political cost of it all.

Below are highlights from that conversation—plus fresh insights from our latest polling.

💥 Fierce or Fractured? Democrats’ Escalating Strategy Raises Eyebrows

“They’ve tried to jail and bankrupt their political opponents,” Olson noted. “At some point, they’ve got to give up this idea that they haven’t been fierce.”

Consider just the last few months:

• Democratic Congresswoman shoving ICE officials on camera
• Firebombing of a Tesla dealerships
• Unhinged rhetoric leading to two attempted assa***nations of President Trump
• A congressman thrown out while wildly swinging a cane and yelling during Trump’s speech to Congress

Olson questioned the wisdom of the Democrats doubling down on ratcheting up their rhetoric and actions since it has already alienated the majority of Americans.

“They’re on the 20 side of an 80/20 issue here,” he said.

⚠️ When You Pick the 20% Side Every Time…

Voters overwhelmingly support law and order, immigration enforcement, and political accountability—not lawlessness, open borders, and criminalization of dissent.

“If they don’t change their tune, they could be going the way of the Whigs,” Olson warned, referencing the once-dominant party that collapsed under the weight of its contradictions.

It’s not just about tone. It’s about tactics, and which side of public opinion Democrats decide to stand. 

Olson concluded: “If you pick the 20 side of every 80/20 issue… you’re going to end up in a bad place.”