JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon sparked controversy Thursday after delivering sharp criticism of the Democratic Party during remarks at a foreign ministry event in Dublin, Ireland. “I have a lot of friends who are Democrats, and they’re idiots,” Dimon said. “They have big hearts and little brains. They do not understand how the real world works. Almost every single policy rolled out failed.” His blunt remarks drew national attention, particularly because Dimon has long been associated with the Democratic Party.

During a segment on Fox Business, anchor David Asman and contributor Gerry Baker discussed Dimon’s comments. Asman likened them to a famous Winston Churchill quote: “If you’re not a socialist when you’re young, you have no heart. If you’re not a conservative when you are old, you’ve got no brain.” Dimon’s criticisms follow earlier remarks in which he blasted California’s liberal leadership for excessive regulations, joking that red tape should now be called “blue tape.”

While Dimon criticizes the party from a centrist perspective, the Democratic Party is also facing pressure from the far-left. Zohran Mamdani’s recent win in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary has energized the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), who now plan to challenge several establishment Democrats in upcoming 2026 primaries.

DSA leaders argue that figures like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Reps. Jerry Nadler, Dan Goldman, Ritchie Torres, and Yvette Clarke no longer represent the priorities of the party’s growing progressive base. They view Mamdani’s win as a mandate for ideological change within the party.

Democratic strategist Andre Richardson, a senior adviser to Jeffries, defended the congressman, saying Jeffries remains focused on fighting back against MAGA Republicans and conservative policies. The growing divide between centrist and progressive Democrats, highlighted by Dimon’s remarks and the DSA’s rising influence, reflects a party at a crossroads.