Former President Donald Trump escalated his rhetoric Thursday, claiming that “the communists are finally making their move” after a slate of progressive candidates backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani toppled two incumbent House Democrats in primary contests.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “The Communists are finally making their move. I’ve been waiting and preparing for this for a long time.” He argued that communism is a failed ideology that promises everything but delivers nothing, adding, “All you have to do is say, ‘I’ll give you everything,’ but that means you’re taking it away from others that have earned it.”
The former president’s comments came after Tuesday’s primaries in New York, where Mamdani’s endorsed candidates swept all three races. Former city Comptroller Brad Lander defeated Rep. Dan Goldman in the 10th Congressional District. Political newcomer Darializa Avila Chevalier unseated five-term Rep. Adriano Espaillat in the 13th district. State Rep. Claire Valdez, a democratic socialist, beat Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso in the 7th district.
Trump’s broadside against “communists” is part of a familiar pattern of attacking progressive Democrats as radicals, especially as the midterm elections approach. With inflation at 4.1% piling pressure on his administration, Trump has sought to rally his base by warning of a left-wing takeover. However, some GOP strategists worry that such language could alienate moderate voters in swing districts.
The president’s allies on Capitol Hill are already scrambling to align with his priorities. Senate Republicans are working to meet Trump’s demands on election legislation and defense funding, while the Supreme Court recently greenlit his plan to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and Syrians, a move that has drawn bipartisan criticism.
Mamdani, a democratic socialist who has emerged as a kingmaker in New York politics, has openly challenged the party’s establishment. His endorsements have put him at odds with key Democrats, including House leadership, who backed the losing incumbents. The mayor’s success in these races signals growing left-wing influence in the party, even as Trump frames the trend as an existential threat.
Trump doubled down on his warning early Wednesday, writing, “Over thousands of years, that Ideology has not worked once. The game is on. Enjoy watching!” His remarks echo earlier statements at the Faith & Freedom Coalition, where he mixed cultural conservatism with alarm about progressive gains.
Meanwhile, some Republicans are breaking with Trump on specific policies. Rep. Mike Lawler, a New York Republican, has warned that ending TPS for Haitians could trigger a healthcare crisis, a stance that puts him at odds with the White House. As the midterms heat up, Trump’s strategy of painting Democrats as extremists may energize his base but risks deepening intraparty fractures.
