In American politics, "elite" is a four-letter word. For years, Democrats were derided as the "liberal elite," but that caricature shifted as the party lost working-class voters and gained wealthier, better-educated ones. Now, a New York Times/Siena University poll finds voters are more likely to see Republicans as "elitist."

When asked which party the word "elitist" describes, 43 percent said Republicans and 33 percent said Democrats. In 2022, the parties were tied. The shift was driven by independents: 45 percent now call Republicans elitist, up from 36 percent. Women chose Republicans by a 20-point margin, and 59 percent of 18- to 29-year-olds did so.

Voters described a party that stopped looking out for everybody. Lauren Wilson, 40, of Cranford, N.J., backed Trump in 2024 but plans to vote Democratic. Rebecca Schneider-Kaplan of Staten Island said Trump thinks he's "above everything." Jesus Estrada, 21, of Pasadena, Texas, cited Trump's taxes. Jerry Jacob, 37, said Republicans seem "in their own world."