Politicians will go on the news for softball questions. Fox News’ Laura Ingraham doesn’t play those games.
Because Laura Ingraham just slapped a U.S. Congressman with this one amazing reality check.
Democrat Auchincloss’ Stumbles On Fox News With Tough Question
Massachusetts Representative Jake Auchincloss stepped into the spotlight on “The Ingraham Angle” Thursday, tasked with defending the Democratic Party’s record and vision. What unfolded was a masterclass in political floundering, as Auchincloss struggled to articulate a coherent message while inadvertently exposing his party’s disconnect from everyday Americans. His performance, riddled with vague promises and questionable claims, only amplified the perception that Democrats are spiraling into self-inflicted absurdity as they grapple with a restless base and a resurgent opposition.
Auchincloss faced a pointed question from host Laura Ingraham about whether Democrats were addressing the concerns of the middle class, who have increasingly drifted away from the party’s standard-bearers. His response was a jumbled attempt at optimism, leaning heavily on rhetoric over substance. “Democrats have an opportunity to answer those concerns. Right now, in a Fox News poll, only a third of voters think that Donald Trump’s doing a good job on tariffs and inflation. Democrats have a chance to say ‘We are now the party of free enterprise, free trade with free people to build a strong middle class with lower costs, particularly in housing and health care,’” Auchincloss said. The claim that Democrats are poised to champion “free enterprise” landed like a punchline, given the party’s recent embrace of heavy-handed regulations and tax hikes.
His follow-up promises were equally bewildering. “Here’s how we’re going to do it. We’re going to peel the bark off the health insurance corporations,” Auchincloss declared, a phrase so bizarre it seemed ripped from a campaign consultant’s fever dream. He went on to pledge the construction of “7 million units of housing” and to “deliver every kid in this country,” leaving viewers to wonder what exactly he meant by “deliver.” Such grandiose, nebulous commitments only deepen the sense that Democrats are more focused on catchy soundbites than practical solutions.
The Democratic Party’s core struggles were on full display as Auchincloss tried to navigate the conversation. With the 2026 midterms looming, Democrats are grappling with plummeting favorability and dwindling support for their congressional candidates. Their inability to rally behind a unified leader or message has left them vulnerable, and Auchincloss’ appearance did little to inspire confidence. Instead, his vague assurances and awkward pivots reinforced the narrative that the party is out of touch, flailing to recapture the trust of voters who feel ignored.
Ingraham didn’t let Auchincloss off easily, pressing him on the Biden-Harris administration’s track record. “You had four years of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. And for part of that time, you had a Democrat Congress. You had all that time. Biden said it was going to be a new era for America. So what happened?” she asked. The question cut to the core of the Democrats’ dilemma: after years in power, their tangible achievements are overshadowed by soaring inflation, border chaos, and a growing sense of national unease.
Auchincloss tried to salvage the moment by touting the administration’s accomplishments. “We accomplished a lot in that first term. We got infrastructure, we got chips and science, domestic semiconductor manufacturing. We got gun safety legislation that the Trump administration is now rolling back,” he said. Yet, his list felt like a rehearsed talking point, failing to address the economic pain and security concerns that dominate voter priorities. His admission that “we now, though, have to do more” came across as a belated acknowledgment of the party’s shortcomings.
The conversation took a particularly cringe-worthy turn when Auchincloss addressed the border crisis. He claimed that “five million people crossing the border under Joe Biden without documentation was not acceptable,” a figure that Ingraham immediately challenged. “Did you say five million? Congressman, you’re obviously very smart. I’m not trying to patronize you. You’re very smart. And, you know, it’s not five million, right?” she pressed. Auchincloss doubled down, insisting that five million crossed “without documentation” and dismissing the need to “estimate the actual number.” His nonchalance about the scale of the crisis was jarring, especially given the real numbers.
Data from the Biden-Harris era tells a starkly different story. An estimated 11 million border encounters occurred over four years, with a peak daily average of 15,000. In contrast, the Trump administration’s recent crackdown has slashed daily border encounters by 93% and migrant crossings by 99.99%, according to a White House fact sheet shared with the Daily Caller News Foundation. Auchincloss’ lowball estimate and casual dismissal of the issue only fueled perceptions that Democrats are either clueless or deliberately evasive about one of the nation’s most pressing challenges.
The Democrats’ response to border concerns has been equally tone-deaf. Rather than addressing voter anxieties, some lawmakers have opted for symbolic stunts, like taxpayer-funded trips to visit illegal migrants, such as Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia in El Salvador. Others have pushed lawsuits against the Trump administration’s border policies, further alienating Americans who prioritize security. These actions suggest a party more interested in virtue signaling than solving problems, a misstep that Auchincloss’ performance did nothing to correct.
Auchincloss’ appearance wasn’t just a personal misfire; it was emblematic of a party in disarray. Democrats have spent years doubling down on policies and messaging that resonate with a shrinking base while ignoring the concerns of the broader electorate. Their obsession with opposing Trump at every turn has left them scrambling to define what they stand for, and Auchincloss’ vague promises of housing and healthcare reform only deepened the impression of a party without a plan.
As the interview drew to a close, Auchincloss’ struggle to defend his party’s record laid bare the Democrats’ ongoing self-sabotage. His mix of bizarre metaphors, questionable statistics, and empty pledges served as a microcosm of a party that can’t seem to get out of its own way. With each public appearance, Democrats like Auchincloss offer fresh ammunition to critics who argue they’re more focused on posturing than governing, a perception that could haunt them as the 2026 midterms approach.
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