Now this is hilarious!
House Republicans found an unusual way to respond after a difficult primary night for Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, using a symbolic gesture to highlight growing divisions inside the Democratic Party.
The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), the official campaign arm for House Republicans, delivered a bouquet of white lilies and a sympathy card to Jeffries’ Capitol Hill office after several prominent Democrats he supported lost their New York primary races.
The card simply read, “With heartfelt sympathy.”
According to the NRCC, the flowers marked the defeats of Rep. Dan Goldman, Rep. Adriano Espaillat, and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, all of whom were defeated by progressive candidates backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
The Republican committee later shared photos of the flowers outside Jeffries’ office, turning the delivery into a viral political moment that quickly spread across social media.
NRCC spokesman Mike Marinella said the gesture reflected what Republicans view as a major setback for Jeffries and the Democratic establishment.
“Three losses in one night is a tough outcome,” Marinella said. “We wanted Leader Jeffries to know our thoughts are with him, the candidates he supported, and whatever influence he has left inside today’s Democratic Party.”
Jeffries dismissed the stunt when reporters questioned him, instead arguing that Republicans had unsuccessfully tried to influence another key New York congressional race.
Jeffries argued that the NRCC and national Republicans poured millions into trying to handpick Mike Lawler’s Democratic challenger, but their effort ultimately fell short.
Army veteran Cait Conley captured the Democratic nomination in New York’s 17th Congressional District and will now challenge Republican Rep. Mike Lawler in one of the nation’s most closely watched House races this November.
Despite Tuesday night’s disappointing losses, Jeffries predicted Democrats will regain control of the House.
“We’re going to defeat Mike Lawler in November, and we’re going to take back the House of Representatives,” he said.
Still, the primary results have fueled new questions about Jeffries’ influence as progressive candidates continue gaining ground inside the Democratic Party.
Among the biggest victories, Darializa Avila Chevalier defeated Espaillat in the 13th District, Brad Lander unseated Goldman in the 10th District, and Claire Valdez emerged victorious in the crowded 7th District race that included Reynoso.
The results have intensified debate over whether the party’s progressive wing is beginning to overtake its traditional leadership, creating fresh challenges for Democratic leaders heading into the 2026 midterm elections.
A source close to Jeffries rejected the idea that the losses represented a political collapse, arguing that Jeffries routinely supports incumbent Democrats out of loyalty rather than political strategy.
The source also noted that several candidates backed by Jeffries—including Reps. Grace Meng and Ritchie Torres—won their primaries, while acknowledging the defeats of Goldman and Espaillat.
Even so, Tuesday’s results underscore the growing ideological divide within the Democratic Party as progressive activists continue pushing the party further to the left. Republicans are expected to use those divisions as a central campaign theme as both parties battle for control of the House in November.
