2 Minute History Why Democrats are Donkeys & Republicans are Elephants

The donkey and elephant, symbols of the Democratic and Republican parties, respectively, have become iconic fixtures in American political culture. These mascots were popularized by Thomas Nast, a pioneering 19th-century cartoonist known for his sharp satirical illustrations. Nast depicted the Republican elephant as large and unwieldy, symbolizing the party's strength and occasional blunders, while the Democratic donkey was portrayed as stubborn and foolish. Despite their unflattering origins, both parties have embraced these symbols, turning them into enduring representations of their political identities.