In a remarkable display of elitist absurdity, Al Sharpton recently posed for a New Yorker magazine feature highlighting the cozy lives of the affluent Democratic elite. This article, showcasing various prominent Democrats in their impeccably adorned living rooms, raises the question: who are these individuals really serving? With pictures of Sharpton lounging next to a playpen—without a child in sight—one must wonder if the purpose of the setting is to showcase a man of the people or an unexpected residency for a well-dressed political figure with nothing better to do.
The idea of a living room as a gathering place is traditionally warm and inviting. However, the New Yorker seems intent on portraying these moments as a kind of radical chic, where the very rich pretend to relate to the struggles of the everyday American. The reality is more insufferable than relatable. Take Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, for instance, who appears to be wearily knitting on her couch, while her immaculately curated apartment suggests that such comforts remain far removed from the average citizen’s struggles. Thus, the childless energy emanating from this room leaves one pondering: does AOC even know what a day in the life of a working parent feels like?
The emphasis on material wealth and aesthetic choices hints at a deep-seated disdain for regular Americans. Democrats like Alex Soros, heir to the Soros fortune, and Huma Abedin, caught in the crossfire of failed political alliances, play their part in perpetuating this detachment. Pictures show them looking blissfully unaware of the lives of blue-collar workers struggling to make ends meet. One cannot help but laugh at the absurdity—the couple’s poses and expressions seem poignantly out of touch with reality. Their blue-collar appeal is about as genuine as a cardboard cutout of a farmer at a campaign rally.
Then there’s Ella Mhof, who graces us with yet another display of “relatability” as she stands awkwardly on an ottoman in a crowded apartment, donning questionable fashion choices of baggy gym shorts and oversized socks. This precarious tableau further underscores that the Democratic elite really don’t understand the daily lives of the typical American. When Americans gather in their living rooms, they typically share laughter, cherish family moments, and unwind. Instead, these photographs reveal a world devoid of joy, where political figures seem perpetually disgruntled in the opulence surrounding them.
Sharpton’s image alongside his own portrait is particularly jarring. Amidst a backdrop that features a playpen meant for a child, his somber expression brings to light just how disconnected many in the Democratic Party are from the very constituents they claim to represent. Those among the blue-collar workers who once looked to these leaders for support are increasingly turning away, sensing a chasm of elitism that grows wider with every magazine spread depicting the lives of the privileged. Ironically, Democratic leaders seem more interested in celebrating their wealth and status while simultaneously suggesting that they champion the working class. It’s hard to imagine why so many Americans are tuning out their message.
This spectacle is precisely why Donald Trump secured the presidency in 2016. The American public can only ignore this sort of disingenuous presentation for so long. As long as Democrats continue to flaunt their wealth and privilege, while pretending to be advocates for the people, their estrangement from everyday Americans will only continue to grow. Their elitist tendencies are their own undoing; if only they would realize that the best campaigns are often built on genuine connection, rather than opulent living room showcases devoid of children, laughter, and real life. So, let them continue to give us examples of what not to do, as we march on—grounded firmly in the values and authenticity that truly resonate with the heart of America.
