Jemele Hill’s departure from ESPN was marked by controversy, largely influenced by criticism from President Donald Trump and other Republicans. Now that Trump is back in office and with the Democrats aiming to rally their supporters, Hill seeks to share a vital lesson she learned during her time at the network.
Recently, Hill appeared on The Blueprint with Jen Psaki, where the two discussed various topics concerning President Trump and strategies for invigorating the Democratic base following a lackluster election. Hill emphasizes a shift in focus from worrying about those who don’t support you to prioritizing those who do.
.@jemelehill with some advice for Dems from her time hosting at ESPN: “Democrats need to stop worrying about the people hating outside the club. They pay too much attention to them! Worry about people inside the club.”
Link here for the full convo: https://t.co/E5veXgI1UH https://t.co/FY1fBUuCKM pic.twitter.com/ozAAmOffl4
— Inside with Jen Psaki (@InsideWithPsaki) February 24, 2025
“When you have to win the turnout game, that means you have to win the passion and enthusiasm game,” Hill stated. “To achieve that, you must advocate fiercely for what you believe in. Focus less on those who opted not to support you; they’ve made their choice. Don’t waste energy on them.” She reflected on advice from an ESPN producer regarding viewer engagement, illustrating how Democrats can redefine their approach.
“In terms of mobilizing your supporters, think of yourself as throwing a spectacular party. Imagine it as the best party ever, where everyone is having a blast. The key is, you don’t concern yourself with those who are outside hating. They’ll see the excitement and want in. You shouldn’t be distracted by them,” Hill emphasized. “Democrats need to stop worrying about the people hating outside the club. Their focus should be on the people inside the club.” With less than two years to engage “the people inside the club,” Democrats must strategize to reclaim the House or Senate in the midterm elections.
