Longtime NeverTrumper Bill Kristol, former publisher of The Weekly Standard, declared he is now a Democrat, citing his support for “freedom, law and order, limited government, and the Declaration and Constitution.”

The announcement drew widespread mockery, with critics highlighting the irony given the Democratic Party’s current embrace of progressive policies, including socialist-leaning figures like Zohran Mamdani — whom Kristol had previously downplayed.

The move follows similar shifts by other prominent NeverTrump Republicans, including George Conway and Jen Rubin.

I’m pro-freedom, pro-law and order, pro-limited government, and pro-the Declaration and the Constitution.

And so today I’m a Democrat.

— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) May 16, 2026