The Democratic Socialist Agenda, in Its Own Words

Todd examines the Democratic Socialists of America’s stated agenda and argues that its growing appeal should alarm Americans who value constitutional government, free markets, and individual liberty. He responds to a Fox News interview in which a DSA co-chair endorsed abolishing the Senate, presidency, Supreme Court, ICE, borders, and much of the prison system, while also supporting public ownership of major corporations and major cuts to the Pentagon. Todd pairs those positions with polling he says shows a rising favorable view of socialism among Democrats, then explains why he believes many supporters do not understand socialism’s history or practical consequences. Drawing on Winston Churchill and Milton Friedman, he makes the conservative case that government redistribution relies on force, rewards envy, discourages production, and cannot match the coordination of voluntary markets. The episode also considers America’s exceptional opportunity and standard of living, President Trump’s joke about CNN’s Kaitlan Collins at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, CNN’s response, and Sophie Cunningham’s comments about protecting women’s sports.