'This man fights': James Carville slams, then defends, DNC vice chair David Hogg in party feud

The Democratic Party’s internal divisions burst into public view this week after a fiery clash between Democratic strategist James Carville and Democratic National Committee vice chair David Hogg , a confrontation that laid bare frustrations over Hogg’s campaign to unseat fellow Democrats.

Hogg, a gun-control activist turned political organizer, sparked backlash with a bold $20 million plan to primary older Democratic incumbents in safely blue districts. His group, Leaders We Deserve, aims to “refresh the party.” But some top Democrats say Hogg is shooting the party in the foot.

"Does he really think the problem that we‘re facing in the United States today is because we got 65-year-old Democrats in office? Why don’t you take on a Republican? That‘s your job," Carville said bluntly on CNN, calling the plan the “most insane thing” he'd ever heard.

James Carville does not back down while debating DNC Vice Chair David Hogg's 20 million dollar strategy to primary Democrats:
Tara Palmeri: "You've [James Carville] said that members of the DNC should sue him for doing this, since David is a member of the party leadership."
James… pic.twitter.com/wCnElJvhUJ

— Eric Abbenante (@EricAbbenante) April 30, 2025

Things got personal. On NewsNation, Carville labeled Hogg a “contemptible little twerp.” Hogg fired back on CNN: “Carville believes in a politics of being timid, of hiding. I believe in fighting, and that is what people want to see right now from the Democratic Party.”

In which James Carville calls DNC Vice Chair David Hogg "a contemptible little twerp" for reportedly supporting efforts to primary sitting Democrats

"I don't know if I have standing, but I might give the DNC $10 to sue him. He's a contemptible little twerp if you ask me." pic.twitter.com/D0TrZT59g0

— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) April 17, 2025

Their long-simmering feud boiled over Wednesday during a face-off on The Tara Palmeri Show. When Hogg tried to defend his strategy, Carville cut him off: “I don’t. There’s no nuance to it. It’s just flat-out wrong. That’s money that could be used to beat Republicans to beat Democrats.”

Hogg countered: “You have to understand the nuance here—”

"Here's the deal, James," Hogg asked. "What is your plan to deal with our abominable approval rating?"

Carville shouted: “Win elections! Win elections, you see, against Republicans... You want my strategy? It’s to win elections. It’s not to win an election in Queens which you don’t ever run against a Republican.”

Despite their clash, both agreed the party needs to focus on electing “the best Democrat possible” and acknowledged challenges in reaching male voters. They also criticized President Biden for refusing to step aside sooner during the 2024 race.

Still, the damage was done. Democratic National Committee chair Ken Martin echoed the frustration in a recent call: “If you want to challenge incumbents, you're more than free to do that, but just not as an officer of the DNC.”

“We can't be both the referee and also the player at the same time,” Martin added. “It’s important for us to maintain the trust that we have built with Democratic voters and to keep our thumb off the scale.”

Yet, in a twist of reconciliation, Carville took to X after the podcast to clarify that he still supports Hogg.

Just called @DavidHogg111. He reminded me of the story of, after the battle of Shiloh, Henry Halleck urged President Lincoln to fire Ulysses Grant. Lincoln said: “I can’t fire him. This man fights.” David Hogg fights. The DNC needs him.

— James Carville (@JamesCarville) April 30, 2025

“Just called @DavidHogg111,” Carville posted. “He reminded me of the story of, after the battle of Shiloh, Henry Halleck urged President Lincoln to fire Ulysses Grant. Lincoln said: ‘I can’t fire him. This man fights.’ David Hogg fights. The DNC needs him.”