Today, Explained – "Jasmine Crockett Isn’t Backing Down"
Date: February 7, 2026
Host: Ested Herndon (Vox)
Guest: Representative Jasmine Crockett (D-TX)
Episode Overview
This episode features a deep-dive interview with Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, a rising star in the Democratic Party nationally known for her unapologetic style and viral confrontations on Capitol Hill. As she campaigns for Senate in a contentious, high-profile race, Crockett discusses her base, her authenticity, the controversies swirling around her, her strategy for expanding the Democratic electorate in Texas, and how her unique approach both excites and polarizes.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Jasmine Crockett’s Political Persona and Base
- Ested Herndon introduces Crockett as a “bonafide political star” who’s known for sharp retorts, especially on social media, making her a lightning rod within and beyond her party. (00:50)
- Crockett’s Description of Her Supporters:
- “A Jasmine Crockett voter is anyone that is frustrated with everything they’re seeing in politics… real people can relate to.” (02:00)
- Emphasizes authenticity and being more of a “people’s politician” rather than a classic political insider.
2. Viral Moments and the “Clapback” Reputation
- Discussion of her 2024 viral exchange with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene:
- Crockett’s retort: “…somebody’s bleach blonde, bad built, butch body…” (02:49)
- Crockett confirms the line was improvised, not rehearsed: “No, I did not practice that. This was off the cuff.” (03:09)
- Reflection on whether such confrontation helps or harms politics:
- “Politics has changed. …The reason I personally believe that the Democratic brand has been struggling is because people feel as if the Democrats play by the rules and… right now we’re wondering whether or not our democracy is even gonna survive.” (04:09)
- Addresses the need for Democratic resistance in a highly combative environment.
3. Navigating Political Rhetoric and Punchiness
- On the cost of sharp rhetoric and making accusations (e.g., mistakenly connecting Lee Zeldin to Jeffrey Epstein):
- “No, not in this environment, I don’t [see a cost]. …We are really in unchartered territory.” (05:45)
- Stresses a sense of urgency and nonconventional tactics required for the current moment.
4. Roots in Advocacy and Policy Approach
- Crockett describes being shaped by her work as a public defender and civil rights attorney:
- “I have always been the type of person that has wanted to solve for problems. …I became acutely aware of how broken our system is.” (06:15)
5. Political Authenticity vs. Performance
- On authenticity as a public figure:
- “This is who Jasmine has always been… I’ve always been someone who has been intellectual. …There was always a pushback. If I feel like I am right on something, I’ve always been very clear about that.” (07:25)
6. Electoral Strategy and Expanding the Electorate
- Critiques Texas Democrats’ habitual approaches and outlines her strategy:
- “I’m starting more so at third base instead of starting at first base… you need to make sure you can communicate to people that normally aren’t communicated to.” (08:44)
- Emphasizes reaching voters who feel ignored, especially Black voters and non-voters in majority-minority communities, rather than courting Republicans.
7. Controversies and Handling Criticism
- Discusses previous controversial remarks about Latino voters and clarifies context:
- “People love to just go and cherry pick and not get full context of statements…My goal will be to make sure that we understand that there’s more that unites us than divides us.” (10:47)
- On accusations of wielding identity politics:
- “My authenticity is not about me trying to do the bidding of a party. It is me understanding the anger, the fear, the trauma that is being inflicted on real people. …I’ve always been the people’s pick.” (12:54)
- Rejects claims that race or gender are used as a shield from criticism: “I don’t think that’s a thing. I run on my credentials in this race.” (13:33)
- Critiques of her policy are welcome, but she feels most opposition focuses on tone or style rather than substance.
8. Internal Party Conflict & Racism/Sexism in the Race
- Discusses the Colin Allred endorsement controversy and the way Black candidates’ credentials are overlooked:
- “When you talk about race, and... this particular race, it is interesting that black candidates who have actual resumes are seemingly more so dismissed.” (15:33)
- Addresses fan-driven social media attacks (“Stan culture”) and online polarization:
- “With the level of attacks that I face, I mean, this is just kind of part of unfortunately, kind of what comes with it.” (17:37)
9. Policy Positions and Donor Influence
- On corporate/corporate PAC donors – sees no contradiction between accepting donations and advocating for accountability:
- “Number one is the employees that pay into these PACs… I challenge anyone to see if there’s any inconsistencies as it relates to my values and my voting record.” (19:10)
- Calls for billionaires to exist but pay their fair share of taxes. (20:52)
- On what she offers Black voters beyond representation:
- “The pitch has to be who is it that is here to serve us as voters… For us, we do quarterly town halls…I engage my entire constituency.” (21:08)
10. Handling Criticism of a “Me-Centric” Campaign
- Responds to claims that her campaign is about self-promotion:
- “I think I am service…People love to underestimate certain people, and I think I’m on that list. …That is my best opportunity to do what I do best.” (22:27)
11. Legacy and Message for Future Generations
- What she hopes her candidacy represents:
- “For me, I want that girl that never imagined herself in politics, or even that little boy who never imagined a place in politics…but really just wanted real change for their country, for their community. …To be American is to be this person that comes from just a regular background but somehow can ascend to one of the most powerful positions in this country just because you have a heart to really make this country better.” (23:56)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On responding to disrespect in Congress:
“As a lawyer, the first thing that you’re supposed to figure out is what are the rules? …I wanted to illustrate how quickly something like this could devolve if we set this precedent…” (03:13) - On the shifting culture of politics:
“The Democrats have struggled…people feel as if the Democrats play by the rules. …But unfortunately that’s not where we are.” (04:09) - On representation and credentials:
“I run on my credentials in this race…critiqued as if I don’t have credentials and he just gets assumed to be.” (13:33) - On being underestimated:
“There’s a lot of people that have always underestimated me. …when you underestimate me, then that is my best opportunity to do what I do best.” (23:34)
Important Timestamps
- 02:00: Crockett on her voter base & authenticity.
- 02:49: Viral clap-back moment with Marjorie Taylor Greene.
- 03:53: Discussion of political "clapback" culture.
- 06:15: Her journey from public defense to politics.
- 08:44: On changing turnout strategies and Texas’s unique challenges.
- 10:47: Addressing controversy over past comments on Latino voters.
- 12:54: Rejecting identity politics as shield; focus on credentials.
- 15:33: Speaking on internal party racism, endorsement controversy.
- 19:10: On corporate PAC support and policy consistency.
- 21:08: Service-forward approach beyond identity politics.
- 23:56: Her aspirations for how her candidacy will inspire others.
Conclusion
The episode paints Rep. Jasmine Crockett as an unfiltered, strategic, and fiercely authentic candidate, challenging both Republican opposition and critiques within her own party. Crockett’s unapologetic style, policy stances, and approach to representation are dissected and defended across personal, political, and policy dimensions, revealing the complexities and tensions of contemporary Democratic politics in Texas—where “style vs. substance” debates, digital fame, and issues of race and gender all collide.