“Even Duct Tape Can’t Fix Stupid”: Senator John Kennedy’s Blistering Rebuke Leaves Democrats Reeling

In a political landscape often saturated with cautious language and rehearsed talking points, Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana has made a name for himself as one of Capitol Hill’s most unfiltered and quotable voices. His latest appearance on Fox News with host Sean Hannity was no exception, as Kennedy delivered a scathing, sometimes humorous critique of Democratic leadership, the ongoing government shutdown, and the current state of American politics.

Kennedy’s signature blend of Southern wit, sarcasm, and biting analysis was on full display, leaving viewers—and many in Washington—stunned as he skewered Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, took aim at the “loon wing” of the Democratic Party, and lamented the lack of introspection among the party’s top brass.

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Setting the Stage: Dark Days for Democrats

The segment began with Hannity introducing Kennedy as the author of “How to Test Negative for Stupid,” a New York Times bestseller, and “Why Washington Never Will.” Hannity wasted no time in framing the conversation as a reckoning for the Democratic Party, forecasting “dark days indeed” ahead.

As Hannity recounted recent Democratic votes against military funding and benefits for millions of Americans, Kennedy responded with his trademark candor:

“Even duct tape can’t fix stupid,” he declared.
The quip, delivered with a wry smile, set the tone for what would become a blistering critique of Democratic leadership and strategy.

A Vote Against the Military—and Common Sense?

Hannity pressed Kennedy about a Senate vote the previous week, where Democrats allegedly voted against funding the military and maintaining benefits for 42 million Americans. Kennedy confirmed the account:

“Yes, and I listened to your monologue, Sean, with all these different characters. I thought to myself, even duct tape can’t fix stupid.”

Kennedy’s frustration was palpable. He accused Democrats of using the shutdown as leverage to demand more spending, rather than prioritizing essential services and national security.

“I voted 13 times to open the government back up. The Democrats have voted 13 times to keep it shut down. They don’t want to pay food stamps, they don’t want to pay the military. They want to use this as leverage to gain more money to spend.”

Media Critique: “The Smartest Person on The View”

Kennedy didn’t reserve his criticism for politicians alone. When asked about MSNBC’s Nicolle Wallace, Kennedy offered another dose of his signature snark:

“I don’t know Ms. Wallace. I have watched her a good bit. I suppose she’s not as bad as some members of the liberal media. But that is like being the smartest person on ‘The View.’ I’m going to give Ms. Wallace the benefit of the doubt and assume she said what she said right after her morning beer.”

The remark, though humorous, underscored Kennedy’s broader critique of what he sees as media bias and the echo chamber effect in coverage of the shutdown and Democratic politics.

Democrats’ Anger and the “Glass of Get Over It”

Kennedy didn’t mince words when discussing the Democratic response to the Trump presidency:

“The Democrats have accused President Trump of everything except abandoning his children to wolves. They repeatedly, daily, call him a racist and a Nazi. The Democrats are angry. They are angry for two reasons. They are angry because President Trump won the election. The American people spoke. My Democratic colleagues need to just drink a big ol’ glass of ‘get over it’ and let’s move on.”

He added that Democrats are also angry because the American people are frustrated by the shutdown, which Kennedy characterized as “so needless.”

Polling Trouble: “A Wet Match in a Dark Cave”

Kennedy cited recent polling data to drive home his point about Democratic leadership’s lack of public support:

“I was looking at a poll today of what the American people think of Senator Schumer. It was an Economist YouGov poll which is very left of center. In the American people’s opinion, Senator Schumer is a wet match in a dark cave. He polls right up there with clubbing baby seals. He’s got a 30% approval rating, a 60% disapproval rating, and 10% of folks polled just didn’t want to pause their video games to answer.”

The metaphor, both vivid and damning, underscored Kennedy’s view that Schumer’s strategy is backfiring with the public.

A Political Shutdown, Not a Policy Shutdown

Kennedy argued that the government shutdown was driven by politics, not policy:

“The American people may not read Aristotle every day, but they get it. This is not a policy shutdown, this is a political shutdown. I keep waiting for my Democratic colleagues to come to their senses.”

Democratic Disconnect: Out of Touch with Voters

Hannity referenced a major voter survey indicating that 70% of respondents believe the Democratic Party is out of touch, prioritizing “LGBTQAI+ and the rights of criminals over law and order, safety and security, and secure borders.” Kennedy agreed, noting that Democrats have voted against tax cuts, opposed lowering taxes on tips and overtime, and support higher gasoline prices.

“These are 80/20, 90/10 issues,” Kennedy said. “There’s been no reflection, introspection, or course correction. I don’t see them changing.”

The “Loon Wing” and the Future of the Democratic Party

Turning to the party’s presidential frontrunners—Pete Buttigieg, Kamala Harris, Gavin Newsom, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez—Kennedy questioned whether the party could reclaim its footing:

“I don’t think they have a future until they stand up to the loon wing of the party. The socialist wing is in control.”

He noted the influence of far-left figures, referencing recent events in New York and the sway held over President Biden:

“They hyperventilate if you use the wrong pronoun. They think Abraham Lincoln and George Washington and Thomas Jefferson and Dr. Seuss and Mr. Potato Head are a bunch of racists. They think children ought to be able to change genders at recess. The American people don’t think that, and many Democrats don’t. I want to be fair. But the loon wing does and they are in control.”

Fear and Silence: “Scared of Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez”

Kennedy lamented the lack of dissent among Democrats, save for Senator John Fetterman:

“None [are speaking out]. Because they are scared. They are not scared of Senator Schumer, they are scared of Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez.”

He suggested that, while the current Democratic leadership may be good for Republicans, it is ultimately bad for the country:

“I believe in competition and I think New York is the greatest city in the world, and I don’t want to see it ruined.”

A Final Word: “Let God Take Care of It”

As the interview wound down, Kennedy offered a resigned perspective on the state of affairs:

“Sometimes you just have to let God take care of it, because if you take care of it you will end up in jail. I mean, there are some things you just can’t change.”

Analysis: Kennedy’s Rhetoric and Its Impact

Kennedy’s appearance was more than just a collection of clever soundbites. It was a pointed critique of the Democratic Party’s current trajectory, a lament for the lost spirit of bipartisan problem-solving, and a warning about the dangers of ideological extremism.

His remarks resonated with viewers frustrated by gridlock and political gamesmanship, while drawing ire from those who saw his comments as inflammatory or dismissive of legitimate concerns. Social media lit up in the hours following the interview, with supporters praising Kennedy’s honesty and detractors accusing him of deepening divisions.

Conclusion: A Moment of Unvarnished Truth

In a political climate where candor is often sacrificed for caution, Senator John Kennedy’s blunt assessment cut through the noise. “Even duct tape can’t fix stupid,” he declared—a line that will linger in the halls of Congress and on the airwaves for days to come.

Whether Kennedy’s critique will spark genuine reflection among Democratic leaders remains to be seen. But for one night, at least, the senator from Louisiana reminded America that the stakes are real, the divisions are deep, and sometimes, the truth is impossible to ignore.