Olson on WILKOW! Dangerous Rhetoric & Future of Democrat Party
Byline: Olson Strategies Staff
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Dustin Olson, Managing Partner at Olson Strategies and lead pollster for American Pulse Research & Polling, joined WILKOW! with Andrew Wilkow to discuss dangerous political rhetoric, the NYC Mayoral Race, and how the Democrat Party is transforming before our eyes.
Inflammatory Rhetoric & Political Violence
Olson warned about the dangers of increasingly extreme political language, noting how Democrats and the media have spent years branding opponents as things like “Nazis,” “fascists,” and a “threat to democracy.”
“They’ve created a media environment that paints Republicans, conservatives, Christians, and Trump as existential threats. It’s not surprising, after all of that, we’d end up with this assassination and the two attempts last year.”
Out of millions who hear such messaging, it only takes one unstable person to act, with the assassination of Charlie Kirk being the latest tragic example.
NYC Crime, Mamdani’s Radical Platform & Democrat Party Shifts
Turning to New York City’s mayoral race, Olson highlighted polling showing 85% of New Yorkers say crime is a problem, with nearly half calling it “serious.” Yet Mamdani leads the race despite pushing radical policies like “defunding the police”.
“You’re watching the Democrat Party transform in many ways. They’re no longer the traditional national party. It’s becoming the Democrat-Socialists of America,”
Olson said, pointing to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s endorsement of Mamdani as proof party leaders fear the progressive base and are beginning to surrender to it.
Olson added that Mamdani’s rise, coupled with the decline of figures like Andrew Cuomo and Eric Adams, signals where Democrat energy is heading—and what may lie ahead for the party.
The Bigger Picture
Olson argued the combination of reckless rhetoric, radical policies, and the Democrat Party’s transformation represents a troubling mix for the future of the country. He noted these trends will shape not just the NYC mayor’s race but also the Democrat party’s national future.
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