{
  "id": 11461853,
  "title": "Americans rebel against Trump’s red-baiting, sending socialism to a record high in opinion polling",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/americans-rebel-against-trumps-red-baiting-sending-socialism-to-a-11461853",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-02T13:31:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Fortune",
    "slug": "fortune",
    "url": "https://fortune.com/2026/10/02/americans-view-socialism-favorably-trump-taxpayer-ads-jd-vance-affordability/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A record 43% of Americans now view socialism positively, according to a recent Gallup poll, marking an all-time high since the pollster began asking about the term in 2010. However, many may not fully comprehend the meaning of socialism, as its definition has shifted over time. In 1949, the most common perception was government ownership of businesses, but by 2018, the word had come to represent equality. The COVID-19 pandemic played a role in shifting public sentiment, as stimulus checks and free vaccinations provided a taste of government assistance. As a result, even though socialism remains less popular than capitalism and free enterprise, it has gained support among independents, with 45% now holding a positive view of the idea.\n\nNotable figures, such as Zohran Mamdani, mayor of New York City, and Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive candidate who won Michigan's Democratic Senate primary, have embraced the socialist label. The White House has taken notice and vowed to combat this trend, with President Trump explicitly attacking socialism as opposed to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, describing it as \"death, tyranny, and the pursuit of evil.\" Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance has also spoken out against socialism, cautioning fellow Republicans not to blame young people for its appeal, warning that they should instead blame themselves for creating conditions that make socialism more attractive.\n\nDespite the overall negative perception of socialism, opinion polls reveal that it is more popular among younger age groups, specifically those aged 18 to 34, who view it more favorably than capitalism. In contrast, older Americans, who are more likely to own homes, show a strong preference for capitalism. Studies also indicate that middle-income households, which feel the economic strain of rising housing costs, are divided on socialism, with 69% viewing big business unfavorably.\n\nPresident Trump has responded to the poll results by airing taxpayer-funded ads warning Americans about the perceived threat of communism, socialism, and Marxism. The White House claims these ads will help defeat these ideologies in America. However, the connection between these ads and the poll results is unclear, as Gallup's interviews took place before the ad campaign began. Despite the ads, support for capitalism remains broad, even among those who are more inclined toward socialism. This suggests that while socialism may be gaining traction, it still faces significant opposition from a majority of Americans.",
  "summary": "More than four in 10 Americans quite like the sound of it, shrugging off Trump's warnings about \"communism, socialism and Marxism.\"",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Fortune",
        "title": "Americans rebel against Trump’s red-baiting, sending socialism to a record high in opinion polling",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/americans-rebel-against-trumps-red-baiting-sending-socialism-to-a",
        "published": "2026-10-02T13:31:50.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}