Clyburn Blames Media for Democrats' Polling Decline

Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) has attributed the Democratic Party's declining approval ratings and historic unpopularity to the media, arguing that mainstream outlets fail to fairly convey the party's messaging to the public. In multiple interviews, Clyburn defended the Democratic platform and claimed that the party's message is strong but is not effectively reaching voters due to media distortion, sensationalism, and a focus on narratives that attract viewership rather than substance. He specifically criticized outlets like The Washington Post for allegedly yielding to former President Trump's influence and for not giving Democrats a fair hearing, while praising MSNBC and Ali Velshi for offering substantive coverage. Clyburn rejected claims that the Democratic Party lacks a cohesive message, instead blaming the media for not fact-checking and for allowing misinformation to spread unchecked. Recent polls have shown record-low favorability ratings for the party and low confidence in its congressional leadership, underscoring the urgency of Clyburn's concerns. To combat these challenges, Clyburn announced plans to hold town halls outside his district to directly communicate the party's message to voters.