It was June 2015. Online, there were countless videos of smug Democrats, self-proclaimed “experts” and know-nothing pundits literally laughing out loud at the prospect of New York City businessman Donald Trump declaring his run for president.  

That fools’ parade found it hilarious that Trump truly thought he could beat “seasoned” Republican politicians in the primary. They guaranteed that the “delusional” Trump could never beat Hillary Clinton in the general election. In the process, they only proved themselves irrelevant and totally out of touch with the issues plaguing the nation.

Back in 2016, Trump was propelled by a very powerful message — one that resonated with tens of millions of Americans across the socioeconomic spectrum. He was not a politician (and most especially not a career politician) and he was bringing decades of real-world business experience — and massive success — to the table.

Trump got the last laugh because he knew that the reporters, political “experts” and pundits who laughed in his face were either part of the “entrenched elite” class that had ruled over Washington for decades or were deeply beholden to it. More than that, his instinct told him the American people believed that as well.

Now, as we come into the closing months of 2025, it’s time to channel the great Yogi Berra by saying: “It’s déjà vu all over again.” Suddenly, we have a great many Republicans and “experts” laughing at the prospect of far-left New York City Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) running for president, getting the Democratic nomination or actually beating the eventual Republican nominee in 2028.

Will AOC really run in 2028, or is she cleverly gaming the media and the system for millions of dollars of free publicity so she can stage a run for Senate instead? Quite possibly, but that is not the pertinent question to be asked. The more critical question is whether the Democrats can roll out a left-wing or far-left “populist” with a message that could resonate with enough Americans to win a national election.

The answer: You bet they can. 

“Populists” often succeed because they possess the elusive “it factor.” Back in 2015, Trump had it in spades, and coupled it with his highly popular “outsider with real experience” message to shock the world and win the election. 

Today, Democrats have “populists” such as AOC and New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. Both push a similar socialistic message aimed at the uninformed: the tried and true “free is for me-chicken in every pot” canard that blames the wealthy for all the world’s problems. And while many Republicans and conservatives scoff at such socialist fantasies, political history has shown they work time and again. They work in large part because they don’t have to fool all the people — just enough to swing certain districts, counties and states.  

Beyond the radar screens of many Republicans and conservatives, there is a massive political and populist sea change taking place, most of it aimed at young Americans, against “authority” figures. Sadly — and quite dangerously — it tends to come with the constant demonization and dehumanization of Republicans, conservatives and people of faith. One can only hope that cooler heads in the Democratic Party and on the left will strongly condemn such ugly rhetoric. But in the meantime, the sea change goes on beneath the surface, targeting the youngest of voters.

Is it working? Yes.

Earlier this month, Gallup put out a newsworthy poll showing that a growing number of Democrats and Independents are souring on capitalism. Soon thereafter, Politico put out a piece titled, “Poll: Capitalism is out … and socialism is in.” The neon-red warning flare for Republicans from that article is that a clear majority of “likely Democratic voters prefer socialist-aligned figures like Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Zohran Mamdani to establishment politicians like Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, and Nancy Pelosi.” 

My advice to any Republicans laughing at the prospect of AOC or any other far-left populist becoming the next Democratic nominee or the president would be to immediately stop, and dedicate a great deal of your time, energy and money on devising strategies to defeat them come 2026 and 2028. There is a sea change taking place and the Republican brand is taking on water. 

Douglas MacKinnon is a former White House and Pentagon official.