In the wake of the Democratic Party’s disappointing 2024 election losses, a quiet but seismic shift is underway within its ranks. At the center of this transformation is Third Way, a self-proclaimed “centrist” think tank that has long positioned itself as the voice of moderation in Democratic politics. But a closer look at its agenda, funding, and recent maneuvers reveals a far more troubling reality: Third Way is spearheading a Project 2025-style assault on progressivism, steering the party toward a conservative, even far-right alignment that echoes the Trumpist playbook.
The latest evidence of this shift came in a five-page memo leaked from a recent Third Way retreat with Democratic staffers and consultants. The document, obtained by journalist Donald Shaw, urges the party to abandon its reliance on small-dollar donors, arguing that their preferences “may not align with the broader electorate.” While the memo stops short of explicitly naming alternative funding sources, the implication is clear: Democrats should pivot toward the deep pockets of wealthy elites and corporate donors.
This recommendation is not just a tactical shift—it’s an ideological one. By distancing the party from its grassroots base and progressive ideals, Third Way is effectively advocating for a Democratic Party that is more responsive to the interests of wealthy and powerful conservatives rather than to the needs of working-class Americans. The memo also calls for curbing “far-left influence,” adopting a “pro-capitalist” stance, and ending the “demonization of wealth and corporations.” In other words, Third Way is pushing the Democrats to become a party of, by, and for the elite and a party in opposition to diversity, civil rights, and inclusiveness.
Third Way’s agenda is not just ideological—it’s financial. As Shaw’s investigation reveals, the think tank is bankrolled by a who’s who of billionaire donors, corporate interests, and dark money networks:
“The results reveal a web of billionaire liberal megadonors, Democratic dark money funnelers, Fortune 500 CEOs, and corporations with plenty to gain from a more corporate-friendly Democratic Party.”
These funders have a clear stake in shaping a Democratic Party that prioritizes corporate-friendly policies over progressive reforms. Third Way has long championed such an agenda, backing initiatives like the Trans-Pacific Partnership (a corporate trade deal opposed by labor unions) while opposing popular progressive policies like Medicare for All and the Green New Deal. By aligning itself with the interests of its wealthy backers, Third Way has become a conduit for corporate influence within the Democratic Party.
The parallels between Third Way’s vision for the Democratic Party and the Trumpist playbook are striking. Just as Trumpism sought to realign the Republican Party around a populist facade while serving the interests of the ultra-wealthy, Third Way is pushing Democrats to adopt a similarly contradictory stance: a party that pays lip service to the working class while advancing policies that benefit the elite.
This alignment was on full display recently when California Governor Gavin Newsom, a prominent Democrat often touted as a future presidential candidate, appeared on his brand new podcast alongside Charlie Kirk, a far-right white supremacist provocateur and founder of Turning Point USA. Newsom went on to endorse Kirk’s anti-transgender hate speech, widely considered a career-shaking betrayal of the LGBTQ+ community. Newsom’s decision to engage with Kirk, a vocal Trump supporter who has peddled conspiracy theories and far-right extremism, underscores how far the Democratic Party has drifted from its progressive and socially liberal roots. Only four years ago, it would have been considered unthinkable for Kirk, a MAGA leader who funded buses filled with insurrectionists to go and attack the Capitol on January 6th, to receive a special friendly audience with a leader of the Democratic Party
Critics argue that such moves are part of a broader strategy to normalize far-right rhetoric and policies within the Democratic Party. By courting figures like Kirk and embracing Third Way’s corporate-friendly agenda, Democrats risk alienating their base and legitimizing the very forces they claim to oppose.
The Democratic Party now stands at a crossroads. Will it continue to embrace the Third Way agenda, becoming a party that prioritizes the interests of wealthy donors over those of its grassroots supporters? Or will it recommit to the progressive values that have energized its base and inspired millions of Americans?
The stakes could not be higher. As Third Way and its allies push the party further to the right, they risk not only alienating progressive voters but also ceding ground to the far-right forces that have already reshaped American politics. The Democratic Party’s future—and the future of American democracy—depends on which path it chooses.
For now, the signs are not encouraging. With Third Way’s influence growing and figures like Newsom cozying up to far-right personalities, the party appears to be drifting further from its progressive roots. But as history has shown, the power of grassroots movements cannot be underestimated. The fight for the soul of the Democratic Party is far from over—and the outcome will shape the course of American politics for decades to come.
