David Portnoy, the founder of Barstool, brought to light that last year’s election unexpectedly led him to back former President Donald Trump, due in large part to the choices presented by the Democratic Party and Vice President Kamala Harris. Setting forth his thoughts in an extensive video, Portnoy expressed his belief that Trump surged past Harris because the strategies employed by the Democratic Party left independent and moderate voters like himself feeling cornered, resulting in a reluctant endorsement for Trump.
Portnoy highlighted, ‘Democratic strategies left us, the voters, with no viable alternatives.’ He conveyed his exasperation with what he perceived as the party’s flawed approach to the election. Portnoy argued, ‘Their campaign lacked a fundamental appeal, and their dismissive attitude coupled with a sense of moral high ground ended up turning potential supporters off.’
Portnoy’s frustrations reached a pinnacle due to what he felt were excessive and harsh characterizations of Trump voters. ‘Suddenly, if you’re a Trump supporter, you’re being labeled a fascist, likened to Hitler, and dismissed as unfit. There comes a point where it is simply too much,’ he stated. He also criticized the democrats for the assumption of moral and intellectual superiority, which he felt was a huge misstep.
Portnoy disclosed his sense of obligation to vote for Trump, considering all factors. ‘Despite reservations, I got behind him. The campaign strategy by the Democrats left me feeling compelled to choose him. This was a result of their actions, not mine,’ he shared, insisting that Trump’s triumph was both ‘unambiguous’ and ‘resounding,’ validated by the ‘countless voices’ that voted in his favor.
Portnoy introduced his video highlighting VP Harris’s recent rally phrases. ‘She keeps declaring, ‘It’s time to shift gears,’ presumably to mark a divergence from existing policies — those associated with President Joe Biden. Yet, she is the current sitting Vice President tasked with addressing challenging issues such as escalating immigration concerns, rampant inflation, and emerging crime.’
Portnoy also underscored the setbacks of the current administration in international scenarios concerning Afghanistan, Russia, Israel among others. ‘It’s been a sequence of challanges and obstacles on the global stage under this administration,’ he explained, raising questions about the current VP’s credibility in view of these problems.
Reflecting on Harris’s recent communications in media, Portnoy further pointed out her appearances on popular platforms like ‘The View’ and ‘Late Night with Stephen Colbert’. Here, she portrays an image aligned with Biden. ‘In these seemingly cozy interviews, she implies an alignment with Biden’s approach, raising the question of her distinct agenda or policy,’ he remarked.
Displaying a clip of Harris stating that she would not change a thing if given the choice, he further questioned, ‘And yet, she tends to weave harrowing tales of American aspirations, hope, and dreams. What exactly are we discussing here?’ He furrowed his brows in confusion regarding the democratic candidate’s leadership capabilities.
Portnoy didn’t hold back in expressing his disillusionment regarding Harris’s communicative clarity, accusing her of clouding the discourse instead of providing clear-cut answers. ‘Is this the acclaimed leader we’re all talking about? Please quit distorting reality…Kamala Harris never gives us a straight delivery, instead choosing to sugar-coat or beat around the bush. She struggles with articulating her thoughts coherently. I am simply fed up with this persistent distortion of reality as if she’s an exceptional candidate,’ he expressed.
Further, Portnoy pointed out that her lack of success in her initial presidential run is indicative of potential issues. ‘There’s a reason she didn’t earn a single vote in her previous presidential bid. She withdrew before the primaries could take place. It says something about her as a contender,’ he stressed.
Portnoy made final remarks on the Democrats’ strategy of nominating Harris for Vice Presidency after Biden received the nomination for Presidency. ‘Their move had tactical rather than meritocratic motives considering her past performance. She may not have gained the nomination if competition had been open earlier.’
Watch his remarks below!
My kneejerk reactions to Trump victory pic.twitter.com/q6BbejNF6C
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) November 6, 2024