Veteran Democratic strategist James Carville has offered a piece of advice to his party regarding their approach to former President Donald Trump: be patient and let him “punch himself out.” Comparing Trump’s political maneuvering to a boxer’s overconfidence in the ring, Carville suggested that Democrats adopt a strategy akin to Muhammad Ali’s famous “rope-a-dope” tactic.

Veteran Democratic strategist James Carville pleaded with Democrats to let President Donald Trump "punch himself out," on MSNBC's "The Beat" with Katie Phang on Friday.

"I mean, look, he just says anything that he wants to say. I mean, how many stories do I have to read that the delta smelt has nothing to do with this, but he’s just going to keep plowing through? OK. And we have to learn as Democrats just let him punch himself out," said Carville, referencing Trump's comments accusing Calif. Gov. Gavin Newsome of prioritizing the endangered fish over protecting the state's residents from wildfires.

Carville expressed that Democrats need to take a page from Muhammad Ali's book, saying, "Just remember, this is a little bit before your time, but people of my generation remember Muhammad Ali and his rope-a-dope. He just let you just go… the first 6 or 7 rounds, and then you come in and you match up, and then you start launching bombs."

Speaking on a recent podcast, Carville highlighted how Ali strategically allowed his opponent, George Foreman, to expend his energy with a flurry of punches during their legendary 1974 “Rumble in the Jungle” bout. Ali absorbed the blows while conserving his own strength, ultimately emerging victorious.

“Trump is like Foreman in that fight—he’s coming out swinging wildly,” Carville explained. “But if Democrats stay disciplined and let him wear himself out with his legal troubles, extreme rhetoric, and erratic behavior, they’ll be in a stronger position to win in the long run.”

As noted by Breitbart, he also warned Democrats to not lose the forest for the trees, and to keep their focus on whether Trump has fulfilled the key promises of his campaign, rather than fighting him on each small issue.

“It’s hard to sit here and just look at one, you know, Greenland, Canada, Panama Canal Zone, delta smelt that, you name it. But you just got to keep bobbing and weaving and bobbing and weaving. and then in due course you’re going to be able to come in. But the big thing is his number one promise, the biggest political promise this generation is he would get food prices down. Then he got into office and said, ‘There’s nothing I can do about it. Of course, eggs are $4 and something a dozen.’"

Carville believes that if Democrats resist the urge to fight Trump on every issue, and focus on the big picture, they'll be back in the saddle soon enough.

"He keeps distracting us and we keep getting distracted. But we’ll come back in and we’ll we’ll straddle this target and get it in range here before long, I think."

Carville’s advice comes as Trump faces mounting legal challenges and continues to dominate headlines with controversial statements and public appearances. The Democratic advisor argued that amplifying Trump’s controversies too aggressively might risk energizing his base, while a more measured response could allow his self-inflicted wounds to take their toll.

“Democrats don’t need to overplay their hand,” Carville emphasized. “The key is to focus on their own message—issues like healthcare, the economy, and protecting democracy—while Trump does what Trump does best: create chaos.”

While Carville’s “rope-a-dope” analogy may resonate with some in the party, others might argue for a more aggressive approach to counter Trump’s influence. Nonetheless, the veteran strategist’s perspective underscores the importance of patience and strategy in navigating the unpredictable landscape of modern American politics.