NYC socialist candidates sweep Democratic primaries as Trump fans react

Americans gathered on the National Mall for President Donald Trump’s launch of America250 at the Great American State Fair, saying the socialist rise in New York is a warning sign for Democrats and that history has already denied it.

“If you study history, you will see that many countries have already tried to go this way and it has ended in disaster,” said Jill, an 11th grade Georgia teacher. “If you talk to immigrants from socialist countries, they will tell you that they went to communist countries to turn to them. That’s why they left.”

Fox News Digital spoke to Americans gathered on the National Mall Wednesday evening for Trump’s opening rally of the Great American State Fair, celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary. Here, participants shared why they believe socialism will fail in the United States.

The comments come after New York City socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani scored another political victory on Tuesday and three congressional candidates he supports — Brad Lander, Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier — won the Democratic primary.

SOCIALIST EARTHQUAKE Winners and losers emerge after NYC primaries

The victories were widely seen as another sign of Mamdani’s growing influence within the Democratic Party and growing acceptance of socialism.

Socialist victories in several high-profile New York Democratic Party primaries led to sharp political opposition; Many people who attended Trump’s rally said Fox News Digital was a stark reminder of the direction they fear the country is heading.

Rally participant Jill told Fox News Digital that she went to East Germany when the Berlin Wall was coming down when she was 16; He now brings this experience to the classroom by showing his students photos from the trip.

“I show my students pictures and we talk about what communism means…capitalism is what got us here. We’ve been a capitalist country for a very long time. They need to be extremely careful when they vote. They need to study and be well-informed voters,” Jill continued.

As socialism collapses in the Soviet Union and East Germany, it continues to shape the governments of countries such as Cuba and Venezuela, which President Donald Trump has made the focus of his foreign policy efforts to promote democratic change.

NYC VOTERS EMBRACE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISM AS AOC, FOR SANDERS STUMP MAMDANI

Trump supporters speak to Fox News Digital at the Great American State Fair rally. (Hannah Brennan/Fox News Digital)

“I’m not for socialism… If you look at Cuba, the difference here is… it’s completely different even compared to other Caribbean countries around it. And they drive old cars. They don’t even have heat and air… capitalism makes it possible. And that’s why I’m for working for what you want… I still think America is a place where the American dream can come true,” said Toni from Kentucky.

“A hundred million people have died from communism, whether it’s China, whether it’s Mao, whether it’s Stalin and Russia, whether it’s Hitler. We can’t forget our history, or we have a tendency to repeat it, and we must absolutely reject that. It hasn’t worked anywhere. And capitalism and free market society have benefited the world,” said David of Annapolis, Maryland.

Jennifer, who hails from Tennessee, said she is concerned about the rise of socialism in America.

“It is not something that benefits our country and our values,” he said.

Norma, a former Rochester, New York, resident, told Fox News Digital that she has 10 grandchildren and is worried about the next generation.

“New York, I hate to say it, has gone too far… I lived there for 22 years. There are conservative people there, but unfortunately a new agenda is emerging,” he said.

NYC VOTERS ARE FLOWING INTO FREE SOCIALIST-STYLE GOODS AS MAMDANI TRIES TO FREEZE RENTS, CITY-MANAGED STORES

A father and son went on a trip from New York. (Ashley DiMella/Fox News Digital)

Mamdani has faced criticism from conservatives for proposals such as free city buses, universal free child care, and city-run grocery stores; At the event, Americans told Fox News Digital that “free” programs ultimately belong to taxpayers.

“Socialism promises everything, but they can’t deliver for everyone… history has shown where socialism has failed… the proof is in the pudding,” said Billy from North Carolina.

“I don’t agree with that at all…we can’t try to give everything away for free,” said Nicky from Tennessee.

DANGEROUS OR OPPORTUNITY? SOCIAL MEDIA AS POLITICAL DISCUSSION PLACES WHERE YOUNG CONSERVATIVES DISCUSS

People watch U.S. President Donald Trump speak during a rally for the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall on June 24, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Thoss Katopodis/Getty Images)

When Fox News Digital asked Gen Z and Millennial voters if Mamdani was “cool,” Sarah from Massachusetts and Johanna and Elizabeth from California answered “no.”

“I understand the appeal of socialism, but I certainly don’t think it’s the right path for our country to go. In theory, I think it makes sense,” Sarah said. “That doesn’t seem to be the case in reality. It’s absolutely frightening to see so many of my generation bending over like that.”

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“It’s a really good concept that everything is free in socialism, but it doesn’t work very well in the real world,” Johanna added. “If you look at countries that have already tried socialism, it doesn’t really work. It also doesn’t encourage innovation.”

Elizabeth, who visited Washington DC during the week, stated that she agreed with her friends and said, “I am not a socialist. I am a Republican.”