A recent interview featuring NBC News anchor Kristen Welker and Democratic Representative Jasmine Crockett shed light on a significant challenge facing the Democratic Party.

Speaking on the party’s losses and the path forward, Crockett attributed the defeats to a failure to engage effectively with voters who rely on non-traditional, non-news platforms for information—spaces that overwhelmingly favored former President Donald Trump by 19 points.

Kristen Welker began the discussion with a pointed question: “Why do you think Democrats lost, and what do you think needs to happen by the midterms in the next presidential election in order to find your footing again?”

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Crockett’s response was both candid and critical, pointing to the limitations of traditional media strategies in the current media landscape. “Kristen, no disrespect to you. I think you do great work,” Crockett said, acknowledging Welker’s professionalism. “But the reality is that those that tune in to our traditional news sources, they absolutely went for us. And we know that the standards that you have to live by as an actual journalist are completely different from other platforms.”

She elaborated on the gap between traditional and non-traditional media audiences, noting the sharp contrast in their voting patterns. “We know that we were winning for those that were tuning into the traditional news sources, but when it came down to people getting their news from places that really aren’t even news sources, they were going for Donald Trump by 19 points, and that is exactly why we lost,” Crockett explained.

The congresswoman emphasized the urgency for Democrats to adapt their communication strategies to include alternative platforms and media channels. “The reality is that we’re going to have to play in spaces that we’ve never had to play and make sure that we’re communicating in all ways,” Crockett stated.

“Unfortunately, we can’t just rely on the mainstream media to get our message across.”

Democrat Rep. Jasmine Crockett says Democrats lost in November because Americans are getting their news from “other platforms” now: “Unfortunately, we can’t just rely on the mainstream media.”

Correct. pic.twitter.com/jzCK6iMN1L

— Jake Schneider (@jacobkschneider) December 11, 2024

Crockett’s comments highlight a growing divide in how Americans consume information and the impact of non-traditional media on political outcomes.

While traditional news outlets like NBC allegedly maintain journalistic standards and a loyal audience, the influence of non-mainstream platforms—ranging from social media to alternative news sites—continues to grow.

These spaces have proven to be critical battlegrounds, especially for voters who lean toward conservative messaging.

The Democratic Party’s struggle to connect with these audiences underscores a broader challenge in navigating a fragmented media ecosystem.

As the party looks ahead to the midterms and the next presidential election, Crockett’s remarks serve as a call to action for Democrats to broaden their approach and engage voters in spaces where traditional media’s influence may be limited.

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