{
  "id": 2564091,
  "title": "Why Do Rich Kids Love Socialism?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/why-do-rich-kids-love-socialism",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-22T11:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Atlantic",
    "slug": "the-atlantic",
    "url": "https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026/08/socialism-rich-kids-gordillo/688382/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The recent surge in public support for socialism among affluent, well-educated Americans has sparked debate and criticism. Gustavo Gordillo, a co-chair of New York City's Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) chapter, exemplifies this phenomenon. Despite railing against the wealthy and property ownership, Gordillo lives in a $1.5 million Brooklyn townhouse paid for by his father. He even dropped out of an electrician apprenticeship to focus more on his DSA role. Gordillo's case is not unique; other prominent leftists, like Graham Platner and Zohran Mamdani, have faced similar accusations of hypocrisy for their wealth and privileged backgrounds.\n\nThese instances of wealth and education seemingly contradict radical leftist politics have led to harsh criticism from conservative and moderate media outlets. They argue that these progressive successes are driven by white, wealthy, and college-educated individuals. Recent national polling and the DSA's membership survey support this assertion, showing that 77% of its members are white and over 80% have at least an undergraduate degree.\n\nThe phenomenon of privileged individuals turning to socialism is not new, but its current prevalence is unprecedented in American history. In the 1970s, the professional managerial class (PMC) was found to be more likely to support leftist politics. Today, the PMC seems to have lost faith in capitalism and is embracing socialism. This shift is significant, as the PMC is responsible for championing capitalism to the public. Many members of the professional class, including those employed in teaching, healthcare, government, and other traditional PMC roles, are now questioning the economic system they have benefited from, despite their privileged backgrounds.",
  "summary": "Having money isn’t at odds with wanting a fairer economic system.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}