Trump leans on 'communist' messaging as economic angst drives Democrats
President Trump is increasingly using 'communist' rhetoric to attack Democratic opponents ahead of the midterms. Historians note that this strategy is deeply rooted in Trump's political upbringing and his association with figures like Roy Cohn.
Why it matters
This messaging strategy reflects a broader trend in American political polarization and the use of historical ideological labels to define electoral contests.
President Trump made sure to repeat what has become one of his main attacks on Democrats ahead of the fall midterms before leaving a global summit in Turkey dominated by the Iran ceasefire.
"I want to get the word out because what's forming is communism," Trump said following the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey.
Presidential speeches delivered abroad often carry as much weight with audiences back home as they do with foreign leaders.
Trump made that clear when he used his news conference to call communism the biggest threat that America has faced since its founding.
"Communism is easy to sell," Trump added. "I would be the greatest communist in history. I'd be right up there with [former Soviet leader Vladimir] Lenin."
It's not a new tactic for this president.
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