On February 4, 2025, a protest against Elon Musk led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and other Democrats in Washington, D.C., was met with both amusement and frustration from CNN’s NewsNight panel. The demonstration, called “Nobody Elected Elon,” sought to counteract Musk’s increasing sway in the federal government. However, critics deemed it lacking in a clear strategy and impact.

CNN aired footage of the rally featuring Senator Schumer chanting phrases like “We will win!” and “We won’t rest!” alongside Rep. Maxine Waters. The panelists, including host Abby Phillip, responded with laughter. Panelist Gretchen Carlson commented, “The Democrats need a real leader… They have been entirely flat-footed” in their approach to Trump and Musk.

Many, including the panel, thought Schumer’s chant was not the most effective strategy. He was also ridiculed online for his chants about “winning,” especially after the Democrats’ significant losses in the recent presidential election and control of both houses of Congress.

Bakari Sellers, a Democratic commentator, expressed his dissatisfaction, stating, “I don’t want to hear Schumer saying, ‘We won’t lose.’” He suggested that a small business owner could more authentically represent the actual impact.

Conservative commentator Scott Jennings derided the event, stating, “The American left is so far off the rails… they’ll need Google Maps to find their way back.”

Late-night talk show hosts such as Jimmy Kimmel also joined in the criticism. After hearing Schumer’s chant, Kimmel said, “We’re so f—–… We’re doomed. All these old men.” Jon Stewart criticized Schumer’s response to Trump’s proposed tariffs, showing a clip of him with a can of Corona and an avocado. “Your response to the trade war is to f—— tell us guacamole is made of avocados?” Stewart joked.

Former Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan described the rally as “depressing,” questioning its effectiveness. He posted on X, “Is it Saturday Night Live or real life? This is the only alternative to Trump’s America? It’s just so depressing.” Schumer has faced increasing criticism from his own party members.

Many Democrats expressed disappointment over the party’s inability to effectively confront Musk and the Trump administration. Online critics labeled Schumer’s leadership as “embarrassing” and suggested a shift to younger leadership.

Senate Democrats are feeling the pressure to take more decisive action against the Trump administration. The Republican-majority Senate has quickly confirmed almost a dozen Cabinet nominees, raising concerns about the Democratic leadership’s effectiveness in opposing the administration’s actions, including Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency,” or DOGE.

House Democrats, such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have called for stronger resistance. “This is not business as usual, and Senate Democrats should not be treating this as business as usual,” Ocasio-Cortez stated. She advocated for a halt on all Trump nominees. Meanwhile, Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy admitted to Democratic inaction, saying, “Yes, there are people who are angry at Democrats. But what I see now is the action is all focused, in the end, in one direction … stopping the destruction of our democracy.”

In an attempt to rally opposition, Schumer planned an all-night Senate talkathon to protest the confirmation of Russ Vought as budget director. Some Democrats have started blocking Trump’s Cabinet nominees, but others like Sens. John Fetterman and Peter Welch have supported certain appointments, deepening the frustration within the party.

The disagreement among Democrats represents a wider debate on how best to counter Trump and Musk’s increasing influence. Some, like Sen. Tim Kaine, favor a multi-dimensional approach involving legal challenges and state-level action, while others call for immediate and strong obstruction in the Senate.

As the pressure increases, Schumer and the Democratic leadership have the challenge of managing internal differences and external criticism while formulating an effective strategy to counter the administration’s policies. Many within the party are skeptical about the current efforts, with Rep. Sean Casten asserting, “We’re in a different ball game right now. Y’all gotta stop playing checkers.”