Lindy Li, a prominent Democratic Party fundraiser, has dramatically switched allegiance to the Republican Party following what she describes as a traumatic experience witnessing Joe Biden's catastrophic debate performance against Donald Trump on 27 June 2024. Li, 35, who was one of the first people Biden spoke to after the debate, became increasingly disenchanted with the party following the collapse of his re-election campaign, Kamala Harris's subsequent presidential run and her defeat to Trump. She alleges that senior Democrats knowingly pursued a failing strategy whilst wasting donor money, leading her to feel complicit in what she characterises as a betrayal of the millions of people who contributed to the campaign.

In her forthcoming book Unburdened: A Former Democratic Insider's Shocking Account of Political Power, Betrayal, and Party Collapse, Li makes serious allegations about how Democratic funds were allegedly squandered on frivolous expenses, including Harris's hairstyling, celebrity endorsements and gift baskets. She describes Biden as "shamelessness in human form" and Harris as the "Cackle Queen," whilst claiming the party operated with a "cult-like" mentality that prioritised retaining power over serving voters. Having raised millions for the Democratic cause throughout her career, Li formally switched to the Republican Party in December 2024, breaking party ranks to publicly criticise what she experienced as calculated deception of supporters.