President Donald Trump’s commanding presence has left Democrats floundering, and CNN’s Van Jones isn’t holding back on their latest flailing strategy. During a fiery segment on “CNN NewsNight,” he tore into the party’s attempt to flex muscle with crude jabs and swagger, pointing to Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s swipe at Texas Gov. Greg Abbott—mocking him as “Governor Hot Wheels” over his wheelchair use—as a glaring misstep in their effort to toughen up their image.

“I think that this party is scrambling, trying to seem tough. And I’m seeing this party traffic in a lot of curse words. That’s supposed to be like the new cool thing to do,” Jones said, skewering the trend as a hollow grab for street cred that’s falling flat with voters.

Jones didn’t let Crockett off easy, zeroing in on her half-hearted dodge after the jab. “It doesn’t sound to me like she’s actually taking full responsibility. If that’s true, I don’t like it and she can’t do that again. She’s too important to us to do that again,” he warned, calling for accountability—a point Republicans relish as proof the left’s bravado lacks spine

He pegged the Democrats’ move as a clumsy attempt to ape Trump’s playbook, noting, “What we’re trying to deal with is that Trump has done this and he’s been successful. So when you have somebody who does this stuff and they’re successful, you start thinking, ‘well, is that the right way?’” But he’s not buying it’ll stick, adding, “I would like for us to say it’s not, but I think it’s hard for us to hear Republicans scolding us on it when your guy does it all the time,” a jab at the GOP’s own brawler-in-chief.

For Republicans, this is pure gold—Democrats tripping over themselves to mimic Trump’s edge while he keeps rolling over them with results. Crockett’s shot at Abbott, paralyzed since a 1984 accident, might thrill the progressive crowd, but Jones sees it as a losing bet, a cheap tactic that’s backfiring fast.

This isn’t just pundit chatter—it’s a glimpse into a party reeling from Trump’s shadow, grasping at toughness while their base yawns. Republicans argue it’s no shock—the left’s been out of touch since November, and this faux-hard stance is just more proof they’re lost.

Trump’s steamrolling ahead, leaving Democrats like Crockett swinging at air, and Jones’ takedown only sharpens the contrast—progressives can curse all they want, but it’s not winning hearts or votes. Republicans stand tall—Trump’s real strength keeps the left scrambling in the dust!