Van Jones Warns Democrats Are Becoming ‘Blockbuster’ as Progressive Candidates Emerge as ‘Netflix’

Van Jones, a CNN political commentator, warned that the Democratic Party may be on the brink of becoming the "Blockbuster" in 2026, as progressive candidates begin to gain momentum and success. Speaking during Tuesday's coverage of primary elections in Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Virginia, and Washington, Jones likened these progressive candidates to the streaming service "Netflix."

Describing the rise of progressive candidates, Jones noted, "The revolution is being televised and podcast and streamed and elected tonight." He expressed concern over the growing credibility gap between the Democratic Party establishment and the insurgent progressive candidates. Jones explained, "People are looking at people and they're saying, 'You've been telling us the same thing for a long time, and our lives aren't even better. We've got Donald Trump twice.'"

Jones also pointed out an "innovation gap" between the candidates, adding, "Why can you spend $60 million and get whooped like this?" He argued that the old model of securing donors, consultants, and expensive ad campaigns no longer holds sway. "This movement said, 'I don't need donors, ads. I don't need consultants. I'm going right to the people with TikTok and grassroots.' And they've disintermediated the entire donor class," Jones explained.

Jones concluded by comparing the Democratic Party's transformation to that of the entertainment industry: "The Democratic party is now Blockbuster. These kids are Netflix. We are selling CDs out the trunk, this is Napster becoming Spotify. And it’s happening tonight."