Getty Images A “Dream Team” shirt featuring images of Darializa Avila Chevalier, US Democratic House candidate for New York, Brad Lander, former New York City comptroller and US Democratic House candidate for New York, Zohran Mamdani, mayor of New York, and State Representative Claire Valdez, a Democrat from New York and US House candidate, outside a polling location at PS 84 during a primary election in New York, US, on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. Tuesday’s votes will test the political strength of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has endorsed several insurgent candidates against Democratic stalwarts. Photographer: Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images There was a political earthquake in New York on Tuesday that rocked the entrenched establishments in both the Democratic and Republican Parties — one that some have said elevated New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to “kingmaker” status.
Little-known democratic socialist and progressive candidates backed by the young leftist — and opposed by much of the mainstream Democratic leadership — went on to secure massive wins in their Democratic primaries, knocking out incumbents and creating fear, anger and panic in politicians from both parties.
From the Democratic side, we have this very specific criticism from Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), expressed during an interview with Sean Hannity of Fox News. “Really, it’s just been the dancing days of the dirtbag left. You know, some of these candidates are outrageous. You have candidates, they’re ‘abolish ICE,’ ‘abolish the police,’ ‘abolish the border.'”
And Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) had a warning for his fellow Republicans: “What we saw last night in New York can only be called one thing: a socialist uprising sweeping the Democrat Party. … We need to be clear about what we stand for. Closed borders, secure elections, economic prosperity for all Americans, and, most of all, proudly protecting the American way of life against socialism. It’s the only way to save our country.”
My advice to Fetterman, Moreno and others is to prepare for the socialists to have a “moment.” One that could easily stretch well beyond 2030.
There are four major reasons why.
The first is what’s been called the “Trump Factor.” No, it’s not anything connected to “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” but rather to the mood of a large part of the American electorate in the months leading up to the 2016 presidential election. Millions of voters were sick and tired of not seeing their lives improve despite the promises from politicians. Enough of those Americans chose to flip off the “do nothing” usual suspects and cast their vote for the flashy businessman from New York City.
A decade later, that “I’m sick of do-nothing politicians” mood is once again in full bloom, especially with voters under 30 years of age. They increasingly believe the “American dream” to be a fantasy spun to them by previous generations, and they are also sick of the Democratic elites.
The second reason is the always hypnotic attraction to “free stuff” in politics. Like lemmings marching off a cliff, a certain percentage of voters, most especially the disenfranchised, will always vote for the candidate promising a “chicken in every pot.” It was a grift first used by France’s King Henry IV in the 16th century. Mamdani and his crew today have dusted it off and used to perfection.
The third reason is, sadly, ignorance of recent history. Those voting for the “free is for me” agenda rarely, if ever, ask themselves the obvious questions: In the history of the world, when has communism or socialism ever succeeded long-term? When was the “chicken in every pot” promise ever delivered?
Those now gravitating toward the fantasy solutions offered up by democratic socialists need only look at America’s largest inner cities. A version of that “free stuff” political promise has been used for decades, and yet millions of our most at-risk citizens — mostly minority — in Chicago, New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Atlanta and numerous other cities are worse off now. It’s a reality consistently ignored by those in power.
The last reason is that those most interested in pushing the “solutions” of communism and socialism also control much of what I call the “five major megaphones” of our nation: the media, academia, entertainment, science and medicine. These megaphones have often vilified the rule of law, sovereign borders, the wealthy, the police and our military — and they have moved far to the left over the years, especially the last decade.
Sadly, those who fled the totalitarian dictates of communist and socialist regimes for freedom and safety in the U.S. are about to see those destructive dogmas dialed up here. The “dirtbag left” is about to have a moment in our country. The critical question is, how much destruction will it wreak before the people realize they were played?
Douglas MacKinnon is a former White House and Pentagon official.
Add as preferred source on Google Tags Bernie Moreno Brad Lander Claire Valdez Communism Darializa Avila Chevalier Democratic socialists John Fetterman New York City Sean Hannity Socialism Zohran MamdaniCopyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Comments: Link copiedMore Opinions - Campaign News
See All
Opinions - Campaign ‘You’re next!’ Democrats discover the mob has a mind of its own. by Jonathan Turley, opinion contributor 3 hours ago Opinions - Campaign / 3 hours ago 
