Ex-Pelosi Advisor Reveals Key Mistake Democrat Leadership is Making In Effort to Counter Trump: 'Dumbest S--t Ever'

A former aide of Rep. Nancy Pelosi criticized the lawmaker's successor as party leader in the House, saying Hakeem Jeffries is not being able to help capitalize the "red meat" being provided by President Donald Trump and his policies.

Speaking to Politico, Ashley Etienne said she has "never seen anything" like the "red meat" Trump is giving the party. "It's like the biggest gift any party has been given by the opposition and we're just squandering it," she said, adding that Jeffries should take the bulk of the blame for that.

The former aide went on to say the party's messaging is not where it should be, and that it's not anti-Trump enough. Moreover, he is not having moderates speak publicly about how the party needs to retain the center of the political spectrum.

"If you don't have coordination, you've just got words on a paper that you're calling talking points," she told the outlet, adding that such a scenario makes things "meaningless"

Etienne then revealed that her services are not being sought out because the new leadership doesn't want to have anything to do with Pelosi. "They don't want to embrace anyone or anything that's like Pelosi," she said. "I just think is the dumbest s--t ever." She backed her argument by claiming the former speaker is "the baddest in the business" and that under her leadership the party "actually landed punches" and "won 40 seats."

A Jeffries spokesperson disputed the account, saying he often asks Pelosi for her input on different matters, something her office confirmed.

Discontent among Democrats about the direction of the party has slipped into the public conversation, with officials also discussing the matter. Among the latest to do so is Senator Elissa Slotkin, who has launched what she is calling a "military-style operational plan" to counter Donald Trump, urging her party to adopt a more aggressive posture heading into the 2026 election cycle.

In a speech to Michigan Democrats, Slotkin proposed a wide-ranging strategy to change public perception of the party and shift focus to economic messaging, institutional accountability, and pragmatic leadership.

At the core of her plan is a call to reclaim patriotism, support a contested 2028 primary to showcase Democratic leadership, and push for a "shadow Cabinet" to actively challenge Trump's policies. "If you want to counter something that you see as a problem, you got to have a plan or what else are you doing?" she said.