Story thread · 2 reports / 2 sources

Democrats enter their thirst trap era

axios.com · 8h · first reportShare

Democrats seem to be leaning into a specific midterm strategy, especially on socials: bringing sexy back. Unbuttoned shirts on CNN. Exposed biceps on the rally stage. Made-for- TikTok thirst trap b-roll. And the return of the tan suit. Why it matters: The left is leaning into candidates who look young, energetic and even desirable , with fresh faces often eclipsing the older guard. "We see a rise in young millennials, or the top part of Gen Z, trying to get into office," says Grace Weinstein, a politics and culture senior correspondent at The Recount and founder of " Who Broke It ?" "We're talking about a generation that is not always image obsessed, but always image aware." The big picture: Democrats are working through identity growing pains between the left flank and the party's establishment. But with moderates and progressives alike, Dems are playing the sex appeal card. The party's main TikTok page has given big names the thirst trap treatment, including: Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.)