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Why the Dems Should Behave Like an Exclusive Nightclub

The party has finally realized the power of influencers. But they're elevating the wrong people, while keeping the edgy voices out.

Kaivan Shroff's avatar
Kaivan Shroff
Sep 05, 2025
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US House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and other Democratic leaders walk down the steps of the US Capitol. Photo by Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

On a recent trip to Berlin, I went to its iconic nightclub known for its secrecy, no-photo policy, and marathon techno weekends. Entry isn’t about clout, wealth, or status. There’s no posted dress code. Once inside, the crowd feels magnetic because the door staff filters out anything that feels inauthentic or out of step with the experience. Not everyone gets in, and that’s the point. The result is one of the most respected cultural spaces in the world.

Democrats could stand to learn something from that.

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Kaivan Shroff's avatar
A guest post by
Kaivan Shroff
Kaivan Shroff is a political commentator, attorney, and 2024 DNC delegate. He appears on CNN, Fox News, NBC, NewsNation & more. A Harvard, Yale & Brown grad, he advises the Institute for Education and has written for HuffPost, The Hill & many others.
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