Poll: Democrats Lurch Left, Embrace Socialism as Republicans Stand Firm with Capitalism

A new Gallup poll has pulled back the curtain on a trend that’s been building for years: Democrats are increasingly rejecting capitalism and warming to socialism. What once would have been unthinkable in mainstream American politics is now becoming a defining feature of the Democratic Party’s identity.

The poll shows only 42 percent of Democrats view capitalism favorably, while 66 percent now have a positive view of socialism. As the Associated Press put it, “the results show a gradual but persistent shift in Democrats’ support for the two ideologies over the past 15 years, with socialism rising as capitalism falls.” In plain terms: the Left’s base has steadily soured on the free-market system that built the most prosperous nation in history.

This shift comes on the heels of a striking political development in New York City, where self-proclaimed socialist Zohran Mamdani claimed victory in the Democratic mayoral primary. His win has sparked panic among centrist Democrats who worry the party’s national brand is sliding further left, alienating moderates and reinforcing fears that Democrats are more interested in government control than empowering everyday Americans.

Even within Democrat ranks, alarm bells are ringing. Rep. Tom Suozzi admitted on CBS that it “would be bad for the Democrats” if Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries endorsed Mamdani, praising capitalism as the proven engine of prosperity while warning that socialism in America has “failed.” Other Democrats, including New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Rep. Laura Gillen, have openly described Mamdani as “too extreme to lead” the city.

Mamdani’s record speaks for itself. He has floated ideas like city-run grocery stores and once argued against sending police officers to respond to domestic violence calls. During a 2020 podcast, his statements raised eyebrows even among Democrats, while President Trump didn’t mince words: “He’s a Communist!”

Yet despite these warnings, younger Democrats in particular are embracing socialism more than ever. Gallup found Democrats under 50 are much less likely to view capitalism favorably, while older Democrats’ views haven’t shifted much since 2010. This generational divide points to a long-term realignment within the Democratic Party—one that could push it permanently toward a socialist vision of America.

The irony is hard to miss. Under President Trump, the U.S. economy achieved 4.1 percent growth, unemployment hit record lows, and families across the country saw more money in their pockets thanks to tax relief and deregulation. Those successes were rooted in capitalism, not government dependency. Yet Democrats have steadily lost faith in the very system that delivered those results.

The question now is whether Democrats’ continued march toward socialism will alienate the working- and middle-class voters they need most—or if the party is prepared to gamble its future on policies that have failed wherever they’ve been tried. Either way, the contrast between the two visions for America’s future has never been sharper.