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A former Democratic operative has left the party, citing “hypocrisy” and the growing reliance on “out-of-touch” celebrity endorsements as reasons for feeling disillusioned about its future.

Evan Barker, who previously worked as a campaign fundraiser for the Democrats, shared her frustrations on “Fox & Friends.” She expressed being “fed up” after Vice President Kamala Harris participated in a virtual campaign event with Oprah Winfrey on Thursday.

“I’ve been involved in Democratic politics for a long time. I’ve raised millions of dollars, and I went to the DNC last month hoping to feel inspired again. Instead, it felt like I was surrounded by the most elite and disconnected people in the world,” Barker told Lawrence Jones on Friday.

In a Newsweek op-ed published this week, Barker detailed her journey from raising “tens of millions of dollars” for the Democratic Party to distancing herself from a party she now feels is “completely disconnected” from ordinary Americans.

Barker explained that she was initially “excited” to volunteer at the DNC, where Vice President Kamala Harris accepted the nomination for president.

“But as I wandered through the glitz and glamour, surrounded by the superficiality of it all, I couldn’t shake a sinking feeling. It felt like I was submerged in a hollow space where the slogans were ‘Brat summer’ and ‘Joy’—completely disconnected from the realities and concerns of everyday Americans. Meanwhile, the most elite figures in the room chanted in unison, ‘We’re not going back,’” Barker wrote.

She cited the party’s “hypocrisy” as one of the main reasons for her decision to distance herself from the Democrats, arguing that wealthy donors “control everything,” including the policy positions of the candidates.

“I’m originally from the Midwest. Many in my family are union workers or have been in unions, and they used to vote for Barack Obama but now support Donald Trump. For a long time, I didn’t understand why. But after raising money for Democrats and moving within those circles, I’ve come to realize that donors are the ones steering the party,” Barker explained.

“They control everything—what the candidates prioritize. I understand that Republicans face this issue too, but Democrats are far more hypocritical about it,” Barker continued. “Ultimately, it boils down to the hypocrisy and the fact that I no longer recognize this party.”

Oprah Winfrey hosted the “Unite for America Rally,” a livestreamed event featuring various celebrities alongside stories and questions from citizens across the country. The event, organized by the “Win with Black Women” group in support of Kamala Harris, saw participation from over 140 grassroots organizations, including “White Women: Answer the Call,” “Latinas for Harris,” and “White Dudes for Harris.”

The event was held in Oakland County, Michigan, with an audience of 400 people, and featured a speech from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Celebrities like Bryan Cranston, Chris Rock, Ben Stiller, Jennifer Lopez, Tracee Ellis Ross, Julia Roberts, and Meryl Streep attended virtually.

Barker argued that the celebrities involved are far removed from the everyday Americans who are struggling with the rising cost of goods as inflation continues to climb, financially crippling families across the country.

“They’re basically telling us that optimism and joy are all we need to improve our lives,” Barker said. “And I’m just tired of it. I’m completely fed up… My grandmother, who lives in Missouri, voted for Obama twice but has supported Trump in recent elections. Right now, she’s barely getting by on her Social Security check.”

“Everything has become outrageously expensive, and it’s making her life incredibly difficult,” she continued. “I want the Democratic Party to focus on what they’re going to do for people like my grandmother, not just parade celebrities around, telling us to be joyful and optimistic. It’s cringeworthy. It’s embarrassing.”

“They’ve become the party of Dick Cheney, Goldman Sachs, endless proxy wars, and identity politics,” she said. “At this point, I’ve had to be brave over the past few weeks, and while I’ve faced a lot of backlash, I just can’t stay silent anymore. I have to speak out.”