President Donald Trump raised his criticism of communism during a speech at Mount Rushmore National Park in South Dakota on July 3, according to reports from the Wall Street Journal and other outlets. Mount Rushmore features the faces of four U.S. presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. Speculation has arisen that Trump’s face may be added to the monument, following his first term in office.
In his speech, Trump stated, "Communism is the enemy of free citizens around the world, the enemy of the U.S. Constitution, and the enemy of Independence Day on July 4, 1776." He further emphasized, "Communism is the opposite of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; it seeks death, dictatorship, and evil. They do not love God and do not desire good." Trump concluded by asserting, "You can be loyal to Karl Marx or loyal to America; you can be a communist or a patriot, but you cannot be both."
Foreign media interpreted Trump’s remarks as a critique of the rising influence of democratic socialists within the Democratic Party. Led by New York City Mayor Jumaane Williams, democratic socialists are advocating for public ownership of transportation, affordable public housing, the dismantling of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and universal free healthcare and childcare.
The Hill, a U.S. congressional publication, quoted Trump’s statement that "this doctrine is absolutely unacceptable," suggesting it was aimed at several progressive candidates within the Democratic Party. The New York Times reported that the implications of the speech indicate the White House's intent to counter the emerging progressive faction within the Democratic Party.
Bernard Goldberg, a columnist for The Hill, predicted that Trump and Republican lawmakers would continue to label moderate Democrats as "communists" in the months leading up to the midterm elections.
Democratic socialists are gaining traction, particularly among younger voters. In a recent New York Democratic primary for a federal House seat, democratic socialist candidate Darializa Avila Chavalier, backed by Mayor Williams, defeated five-term incumbent Adriano Espaillat. Other candidates supported by Williams, Brad Lander and Claire Valdez, also won their primaries. In Colorado, immigrant Melat Kiros, 29, defeated 15-term incumbent Diana DeGette.
Political outlet Noters noted the growing membership of the democratic socialist movement, highlighting that Kiros's campaign saw volunteer numbers rise to 6,500, who made 500,000 phone calls and conducted 100,000 home visits. The outlet also mentioned Francesca Hong, a Korean American candidate running for governor of Wisconsin, who has a background as a chef.
Trump is scheduled to deliver another speech on the evening of July 4, just before fireworks at the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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