Leaked GOP memo details plan to fight back against democratic socialist surge in popularity, recommends calling them ‘communists’

Democratic socialism is having a moment in the sun. The successes of Zohran Mamdani in New York City, the teases of a 2028 presidential run for Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and a string of strong challenges from the left against centrist candidates have Republicans nervous.

Now, thanks to a leaked GOP strategic memo, we know just how nervous. A “confidential ” document from the House Republican Conference authored by Ryan Munce titled “The Fight Over the Economic Future of America” details their plan of attack in the upcoming midterms.

The memo acknowledges the cost-of-living crisis that’s hitting regular Americans in the wallet (they dub it “Biden Era Inflation”) and admits that broad policies like “tax the rich” and “more [public] services” are becoming popular across large swathes of voters.

Don’t mention “the rich”

To combat this, the plan is to try to change the framing. The memo argues that Republicans must not acknowledge “the rich” when making political arguments, but instead try to convince voters that their policies will let them “keep more of your own money”.

But the biggest recommendation is that Republicans accuse anyone remotely left-wing of being a communist. Their data shows that Americans simply aren’t as afraid of “socialism” and “Marxism” as they are of “communism.” They advise members to “do your best to connect all three together, because these government systems are fruit of the same poisonous tree” and use the word “communism” frequently as it “alarms” people the most.

This is something Donald Trump himself has already been doing. Among many other comments this year, in June 2026 he referred to Democrats by saying, “These are not social democrats, these are hardcore, godless communists. … They will close your churches and kill your people.”

Trump has also dubbed Mamdani a “communist lunatic“, said communism would be worse for America than both World Wars, 9/11 and Pearl Harbor and (curiously) said he could be the greatest Communist in history if he wanted:

“Communism is very easy to sell. I would be the Greatest Communist in History. I would give free income, free houses, free food, everything is free. Unfortunately, after two or three years, the country where this happens would fail.”

It remains to be seen whether regular Americans have become numbed to right-wing politicians accusing everyone to their left of being effectively in lockstep with Stalin and Mao. Current polling indicates big Democratic gains, with the Republican chances harmed by the Iran War, the cost of living crisis, and Trump’s own personal unpopularity.

With a new poll indicating that voters are warmer towards democratic socialist candidates than MAGA ones, the GOP will be hoping that their plan to throw the word “Communism” around like it’s going out of fashion hits home.