President Donald Trump on Sunday reposted a video on Truth Social that called for the deportation of several prominent democratic socialist politicians, including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. The nearly 49-minute video, originally posted on July 4 by conservative radio host Michael Savage, argues that democratic socialist candidates are steering the United States toward socialism through expanded government programs and compares the movement to the communist regime led by Cambodia’s Pol Pot.
"These are hardcore communist bastards who must be stopped, criminalized and deported." — Michael Savage, Conservative Radio Host
Savage’s video contained strong language, stating, "These are hardcore communist bastards who must be stopped, criminalized and deported. We will fall if they are not deported." He specifically named Mamdani and Sanders, advocating for their criminalization and deportation, alongside other democratic socialist politicians, due to their political views. The video also critiqued the Supreme Court’s recent decision upholding birthright citizenship, reiterating Savage's call for the removal of democratic socialist elected officials. President Trump shared the video without adding any further public comment.
President Trump has consistently voiced his opposition to democratic socialism, frequently asserting that the ideology poses a direct threat to the U.S. In comments to reporters last month, President Trump articulated his view, stating, "They use the word social democrat because it sounds so nice, but it’s really communism you’re talking about." He has also criticized progressive candidates for what he describes as unsustainable promises of expansive government benefits designed to win voter support.
The reposting of the video garnered significant attention, particularly because President Trump had previously held a cordial meeting at the White House with Mayor Mamdani after his election victory. This earlier interaction contrasted with the stark message conveyed in the video shared by the President. In recent months, President Trump has intensified his criticism of progressive Democrats, a trend that coincides with a series of primary election victories by democratic socialist-backed candidates across the country, as reported by The Hill. These electoral outcomes have fueled an internal debate within the Democratic Party regarding the strategic implications of embracing more progressive policies—whether such an approach would energize the voter base or potentially hinder the party's success in competitive general election races.
Supporters of democratic socialism maintain that their movement advocates for expanded social welfare programs, drawing parallels to systems in place in various European countries. They strongly reject comparisons to authoritarian communist governments, emphasizing their commitment to democratic processes and civil liberties. The ideological divide is also reflected in public opinion. A recent Economist/YouGov poll indicated that approximately one-third of Americans would consider voting for a democratic socialist candidate, while 45% stated they would not. The same survey found that 32% of respondents viewed socialism favorably, in contrast to 39% who viewed it unfavorably.
The broader discussion around the legal and constitutional implications of such calls for deportation also continues. A tweet from Andrew Solender on April 20, 2026, cited Rep. Chip Roy as introducing the "MAMDANI Act" — Measures Against Marxism’s Dangerous Adherents and Noxious Islamists. According to the tweet, this proposed legislation "allows for deportation/denaturalization of immigrants involved with 'socialist, communist, Chinese communist, Marxist, or Islamic fundamentalist doctrines'." Such proposals underscore the ongoing political and legal debates surrounding immigration, national identity, and the boundaries of political discourse within the United States. The President's sharing of Savage's video further amplifies these discussions, bringing the contentious issue of ideological alignment and its potential consequences for elected officials and citizens alike to the forefront of national attention.
