Trump attacks ‘godless communists’ after progressive primary wins

President Donald Trump sharpened an attack on the left on Friday, warning about “godless communists” after progressive Democrats scored primary wins in New York and Pennsylvania. The remarks show how Trump and Republicans are trying to frame the midterm fight around religion, socialism and public fear of the left.

Trump made the comments on Truth Social and at a gathering of the conservative Faith and Freedom Coalition, according to Al Jazeera. He did not name specific candidates, referring instead to what he called the “recent Election of Communists in our Country”.

In posts quoted by Al Jazeera, Trump claimed that “Assassinations of those who oppose them is a very important element of their Ideology” and said, “These ruthless Communists will attack all Religions but, in particular, Christianity.” He also wrote, “These are not social Dumocrats [Democrats]. These are hard core, godless Communists,” and called the situation “the Greatest Threat to our Country since its Founding 250 years ago”.

The candidates Trump appeared to reference identify with democratic socialism, a separate political tradition from communism. Al Jazeera reported that no self-described communists are currently running on the Democratic ticket ahead of the midterm elections and that no communists currently hold elected office in the United States.

Progressive wins draw Republican attacks

The remarks followed primary victories by candidates backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist. Darializa Avila Chevalier and Claire Valdez won Democratic primaries in New York, while Chris Rabb, a Pennsylvania state representative and member of the Democratic Socialists of America, won a Democratic congressional primary in a heavily Democratic district, according to Al Jazeera.

Mamdani, Avila Chevalier, Valdez and Rabb are affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America. The group also includes two members of Congress, Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rashida Tlaib, Al Jazeera reported. Senator Bernie Sanders is closely associated with democratic socialist politics but is not a DSA member.

Democratic socialists seek more redistribution of wealth and more public control over services through elections, Al Jazeera reported. Communist governments, in countries where the ideology has been applied, have rejected democratic competition in favor of centralized state control.

Trump’s claim that democratic socialists are hostile to religion also conflicts with the public identities of several figures he has targeted or whose movement he is criticizing. Mamdani, Tlaib and Avila Chevalier are Muslim, while Ocasio-Cortez identifies as Catholic, according to Al Jazeera.

The DSA’s Religion and Socialism group says on its website that the United States has a long history of religious socialism and that it “refuses to cede the ground of faith to the religious right”.

Socialism label carries shifting weight

Trump has used similar language before. Al Jazeera reported that he falsely called Mamdani a communist before Mamdani’s mayoral victory last November, and that he has often described Democrats as “radical left lunatics”.

The attacks come as Republicans prepare for a difficult midterm cycle, with Al Jazeera reporting that Trump’s approval rating has fallen to a low point during ongoing concern about living costs. Trump and his allies have identified the Democratic Party’s leftward shift as a political target and are courting religious conservatives, especially Christians.

Polling cited by Al Jazeera suggests the old stigma around socialism has weakened. A Gallup poll found positive views of capitalism fell from 61 percent in 2010 to 54 percent in 2025, while positive views of socialism rose from 36 percent to 39 percent. Among Democrats, favorable views of socialism increased from 50 percent to 66 percent over the same period.

This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.