House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) attempted to slap President Donald Trump with a new nickname on Sunday, but the response thus far has only proved that Democrats have learned nothing since the days of “Cocaine Mitch.”
Jeffries posted a video via his X account along with a brief caption, stating, “Far right extremists are trying to crush the American dream. We will bring it back to life.”
WATCH:
Far right extremists are trying to crush the American dream.
We will bring it back to life. pic.twitter.com/CgNPOE7ACX
— Hakeem Jeffries (@RepJeffries) February 16, 2025
In the video, which primarily featured Jeffries speaking in direct-to-camera format while waving his hands for emphasis, the minority leader insisted that Republicans — and specifically Trump — were the cause of America’s problems.
“This administration is making America weaker across the world and creating the space for people like China and Russia to step in while hurting everyday Americans,” Jeffries claimed, but gave no specifics to support his assertion.
He then unveiled his new nickname for Trump, saying, “Captain Chaos and the Extreme MAGA Republicans spent last year promising to lower the high cost of living and running away from Project 2025 as if it didn’t exist.”
Jeffries then suggested that because prices had not yet gone down after Trump’s first month in office, he had already failed to deliver on his campaign promise to do so. He also claimed that Republicans were “implementing the most extreme parts of the Project 2025 agenda.”
Some critics pointed to Jeffries’ overall message as failing to hit the mark.
“Extreme Hakeem with his daily dose of division,” Matthew Kolken posted.
Extreme Hakeem with his daily dose of division.
— Matthew Kolken (@mkolken) February 17, 2025
“And you were left dumbfounded by President Trumps (sic) high approval rating. This is how people know you are just spewing fear mongering bulls***,” another posted, sharing video of Jeffries from Sunday morning’s broadcast of “This Week.”
And you were left dumbfounded by President Trumps high approval rating. This is how people know you are just spewing fear mongering bullshit..pic.twitter.com/YumzVvW6gL
— Ava- I Love My USA! 🇺🇸 (@WEdwarda) February 16, 2025
Others zeroed in on the new nickname: “Captain Chaos.”
“Hakeem Jeffries unveils his nickname for Donald Trump. [drumroll] ‘Captain Chaos,’” one said.
Hakeem Jeffries unveils his nickname for Donald Trump.
[drumroll]
“Captain Chaos” pic.twitter.com/sLIKb9bgLH
— Ken Klippenstein (@kenklippenstein) February 19, 2025
“Why do they insist on making him sound cool?” New York City Councilwoman Vicki Paladino asked.
Why do they insist on making him sound cool?
— Councilwoman Vickie Paladino (@VickieforNYC) February 19, 2025
“Captain Chaos strikes fear into the leftists who have spent the past four years destroying this country,” Dustin Grage added.
Captain Chaos strikes fear into the leftists who have spent the past four years destroying this country. https://t.co/mlYm1EnPS3 pic.twitter.com/dzdOc0Ti2e
— Dustin Grage (@GrageDustin) February 19, 2025
Democrats saw similar results when they attempted to nickname former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) during the 2018 election cycle. West Virginia coal executive Don Blankenship, running in the GOP primary in his own state, attempted to tie McConnell to 90 pounds of cocaine found on a ship owned by the father of then-Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, McConnell’s wife.
Blankenship promised during his campaign to help the Senate “ditch Cocaine Mitch” – but in the end, Blankenship lost his primary, and McConnell embraced the nickname.
Thanks for playing, @DonBlankenship. #WVSen pic.twitter.com/TV1ETgQdmu
— Team Mitch (Text MITCH to 47137) (@Team_Mitch) May 9, 2018
McConnell’s team also sold t-shirts that read “Team Mitch Cartel Member,” capitalizing on the nickname further.