Why did supporters describe Pop art as democratic?

Supporters of Pop art described the movement as democratic and nondiscriminatory because it bridged the gap between different audiences, effectively bringing together both art connoisseurs and untrained viewers.1

By utilizing easily comprehensible imagery derived from mass media—such as comic books, advertising, and common consumer goods—Pop art rejected the exclusivity and elitism often associated with traditional "high art" and the highly personal, complex nature of Abstract Expressionism. Proponents argued that by incorporating familiar, everyday objects into the realm of fine art, the movement made artistic expression more accessible and relevant to the broader public, rather than restricting it to a specialized elite.1