Republican strategist Scott Jennings revealed on “The PBD Podcast” Tuesday why he’s now a strong supporter of Donald Trump—after initially not understanding the former president’s appeal.
Jennings admitted he was skeptical in the beginning. “I did not get how this guy who hadn’t been a Republican was coming along to take over the Republican Party,” he said. “But over time, I began to realize what he was doing. And I also began to realize the choice.”
For Jennings, that choice in 2024 was clear. “Kamala Harris versus Donald Trump? The idea of common sense versus whatever it is she was selling,” he said.
He also blasted Trump’s critics for what he called reflexive opposition. “The immediate delegitimization of this guy—every time he does something, they root for America’s failure,” Jennings said, citing tariffs and foreign policy decisions.
While Jennings admitted Trump isn’t perfect, he said, “I like it that he roots for America. And I hate it that they root against America just because he did it.”
He pointed to Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s February comments on “The Breakfast Club,” where she said she was “rooting for” Canada and Mexico due to their opposition to Trump.
Jennings also noted that Democrats are suffering politically. A new Wall Street Journal poll shows the party’s favorability at just 33%—with 63% unfavorable, the worst since 1990.
He blames the decline on President Biden’s leadership and Democrats’ “cultural radicalism.” “When you’re willing to die on all these 80/20 hills, eventually your approval rating will wind up—around 20,” Jennings said.