As avowed socialist candidates continue to win and compete in elections around the country, new numbers reveal why they are seeing so much success. A recent Gallup survey finds that 43% of Americans now have a positive view of socialism. That marks the highest number in the poll’s history dating to 2010. And a closer breakdown of the numbers reveals who is primarily behind the rise: Democrats and young people. Among Democrats, 65% view socialism favorably and among those age 18 to 34, 57% support socialism over capitalism. Even nearly half of independents (45%) now hold a positive view of socialism.
Christian Collins, founder of Texas Youth Summit, says this is part of a trend that has been building for years due to liberal bias in pop culture and the education system. “That’s why we’re seeing a rise in Democratic Socialist of America (DSA) candidates like El Sayed in Michigan, like Mamdani in New York,” he tells KTRH. “We’re seeing this rise all across the country, and it starts predominantly in our school system…public schools have a part in that, but especially our colleges.”
Collins’ group and others like Turning Point USA are trying to reverse that trend, but it is an uphill battle against the years-long indoctrination of the public school system and higher education. “I spent time at UT San Antonio debating college kids in an event with Turning Point USA,” says Collins. “I talked to hundreds of kids, and a lot of them have very warped world views and they are socialist…some of them describe themselves as communist.”
Beyond the education system, younger voters are also ripe for socialism’s message, as Vice President JD Vance recently warned about. “They’re frustrated with their circumstances,” says Collins. “They don’t own a home and can’t afford to, the price of gas and food has gone up, and they’re struggling. So when they hear about socialism by radical candidates who say we should get rid of billionaires and we should tax the rich, that sounds really appealing to them.”
While Collins continues to fight the good fight, he admits it won’t be easy. “They’re not just going to graduate and be done, they’re going to be in Congress, they’re going to be CEOs, they’re going to be leading our country, and we’ve got to push back on (socialism), and do everything we can,” he says. “That’s what I’m focused on, changing hearts and minds one student at a time.”