How did socialists rise to power in the Democratic Party?

It’s because we stopped teaching our kids about the Soviet Union and Mao Zedong—and because mainstream Democrats are scared to death of standing up to the far left. pic.twitter.com/kAHzVyEsd4

— John Kennedy (@SenJohnKennedy) August 19, 2025

Senator John Kennedy hit the nail on the head in his recent post (Above): “How did socialists rise to power in the Democratic Party? It’s because we stopped teaching our kids about the Soviet Union and Mao Zedong—and because mainstream Democrats are scared to death of standing up to the far left.” Accompanied by a Fox News clip blasting “RADICAL SOCIALISTS TAKING OVER THE DEMOCRAT PARTY,” Kennedy’s words expose the alarming truth conservatives have been warning about for years. The Democratic Party, once the domain of moderates like JFK, has been hijacked by far-left extremists pushing socialist and communist agendas. This transformation didn’t happen overnight—it’s the result of decades of infiltration, educational indoctrination, and cowardly capitulation by party leaders. From Bernie Sanders’ unapologetic praise of communist regimes to the rise of figures like Zohran Mamdani, the evidence is overwhelming: Democrats have become the party of Marxism, threatening America’s core values of freedom and capitalism.

The seeds of this shift trace back to the 20th century, when socialist and communist ideologies began seeping into the Democratic ranks. As former New York Gov. David Paterson lamented, Democrats have failed to stand up to communism and socialism, allowing radicals to gain ground. Platforms don’t lie—today’s Democrats are socialists in disguise, with policies mirroring communist manifestos. Bernie Sanders, the self-proclaimed democratic socialist, has long defended socialism and communism, from praising breadlines in the Soviet Union to admiring Fidel Castro’s literacy programs. His decades-long ideology has normalized these views within the party, turning what was once fringe into mainstream. Sanders’ rise in 2016 and 2020 primaries showed how the base craves this red rhetoric, with millennials and Gen Z increasingly comfortable with Marxism due to a lack of historical education.

Enter Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the “Squad,” who brought the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) into the spotlight. The DSA, with its roots in communist anthems like “The Internationale,” has pushed the party further left, advocating for measures straight out of Engels’ playbook. Socialists are working from within to radicalize Democrats, as evidenced by their influence on policies like the Green New Deal, which critics call a Trojan horse for government control. What is “democratic socialism”? It’s just a rebrand of the same failed ideology that led to poverty and tyranny in Venezuela and Cuba. Justin Haskins warns that Sanders, AOC, and their ilk peddle socialism as a cure for poverty, but history proves it’s the cause. The recent surge of figures like Zohran Mamdani exemplifies this communist creep. After winning the NYC mayoral primary, Mamdani—a DSA member—faced backlash for his “100% communist” policies, including abolishing private property and replacing it with communal living.

President Trump blasted him as a “communist lunatic,” warning that electing him would doom New York to lawlessness and economic ruin. Mamdani’s resurfaced videos endorse socialist goals rooted in communism, sparking firestorms over his plans to buy up private housing for communes. Rudy Giuliani called his win a “victory for communists,” highlighting how crime and radicalism would flourish under such leadership. Trump Jr. predicted a mass exodus from NYC if Mamdani takes office, labeling him a full-blown communist. Even Vladimir Putin noted the Democratic Party’s alignment with social-democratic ideas that birthed communism. Education—or the lack thereof—plays a pivotal role in this takeover. As Kennedy pointed out, we’ve stopped teaching the horrors of the Soviet Union and Mao’s China, leaving generations ignorant of communism’s body count. Victims of Communism surveys show young Americans view socialism favorably because they’ve never learned about Stalin’s gulags or Mao’s famines.

Virginia Democrats rejected a communism curriculum after unions claimed it might offend Asians, further shielding kids from the truth. Meanwhile, higher education has become a breeding ground for socialists, as NYC Councilman Robert Holden noted in blaming colleges for the rise of candidates like Mamdani. Mainstream Democrats’ fear of the far left has accelerated this shift. They’re terrified to confront radicals, allowing socialists to dominate primaries and policy. The Communist Party USA praises Democrat shifts, seeing them as allies in their Marxist agenda. From Sen. Richard Blumenthal attending CPUSA events to Karen Bass’s contradicted denials of communist ties, the infiltration is deep. Tim Walz’s progressive origins tie back to Wellstone Action, linked to CPUSA. Donald Trump Jr. framed elections as “freedom versus tyranny, capitalism versus socialism and communism,” spotlighting the Democrat threat. This isn’t hyperbole—it’s happening now. Mamdani’s win signals socialism’s advance, with DSA admitting it positions them to seize power.

Trump warned of withholding funds from NYC if a communist takes over, vowing to save the city. North Korean defectors and Cuban survivors sound alarms about America’s descent into socialism under Biden-Harris. J.D. Vance fights communism in policy, while Democrats cheer China in trade wars. The Democratic Party’s toxic brand—now synonymous with socialism—stems from this radical embrace. As Dinesh D’Souza notes, the specter of socialism haunts America, but conservatives must fight back. Tea Party patriots warned against growing socialism, and they’re right—it’s destroying everything it touches. From mixed messages on socialism to outright communist endorsements, Democrats have lost their way. Education is socialism’s antidote; without it, the party of JFK becomes the party of Marx.

X users echo this: “Hate for Trump unites Muslims, Socialists, Communists, ecoterrorists, Democrats…” Another laments, “Democrats aren’t Democrats anymore. They are radical liberal socialists and communists.” “Please don’t call Democrats ‘socialists.’ They’re not. They’re Communists.” America must wake up. The Democrats’ slide into socialism and communism threatens our republic. As Trump says, it’s freedom vs. tyranny—choose wisely.