The hosts of Fox & Friends issued a warning to Republicans on Friday, arguing that Democratic Socialists are making gains in elections across the country and that the trend has not received the attention it deserves.
During the morning broadcast, co-hosts Lawrence Jones, Emily Compagno, and Brian Kilmeade discussed the growing number of candidates affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) who have won primary elections ahead of the midterm contests. The hosts pointed to a list of dozens of candidates they said are advancing around the country.
One of the candidates discussed was Maine Democrat Graham Platner, who is expected to be replaced after winning his party’s primary. Platner dropped his campaign after being accused of sexual assault by a former girlfriend. He has denied the allegations.
Jones argued that replacing Platner after the primary would not ultimately persuade voters, but said the larger issue extends well beyond a single candidate.
Compagno referenced a report citing a source familiar with the situation regarding the Democratic Socialists of America’s reported future policy planning. According to the report, the organization has discussed proposals that include eliminating the U.S. Senate, defunding the Department of Defense, and replacing the president and the Supreme Court with an executive branch and judiciary selected by and subordinate to Congress.
Jones argued that the movement represents a broader ideological shift that Republicans cannot afford to ignore.
“The main point is there was this massive talking point that this is just liberal states and, you know, liberal districts where this is happening,” Jones said. “I’m sorry, this is happening all across the country.”
He contended that some of the movement’s platform appeals to younger voters and individuals who are dissatisfied with economic inequality, while characterizing the ideology as being contrary to the nation’s founding principles.
Jones also criticized positions he attributed to candidates aligned with the movement, including opposition to police, opposition to border enforcement, and resistance to deporting illegal immigrants who have committed crimes.
He further argued that Republicans should devote greater attention to college campuses, where he said many young voters are being “indoctrinated.”
“These young people are showing up to vote,” Jones said. “We got to start focusing back on the college campuses again.”
Compagno agreed with Jones’ assessment, arguing that the political trend is not confined to traditionally liberal parts of the country.
“Some are framing this as sort of an east-to-west wave. It is not. It is a tide rising all around us,” Compagno said.
She argued that far-left candidates have been gaining traction nationwide, beginning on college campuses and extending into local offices including city councils, mayoral races, and district attorney positions.
“These candidates have been erupting, have been fomenting all across the country,” Compagno said. “They are all around you. They are all around us. And it is abjectly frightening.”
Throughout the discussion, the Fox & Friends hosts maintained that Republicans should take the growing success of Democratic Socialist candidates more seriously as the country heads toward the upcoming midterm elections.