Republicans say they hate communists. So why do they like Donald Trump?
News Source
β’Sun, 04 Oct 2026 11:00:27 GMT
π° What Happened
Donald Trump and other Republicans say they will 'defeat communism'. But an analysis by Eduardo Porter says the US economy is moving toward state control. Porter argues this push is coming from Trump, not from the left.
The article points to data from Sweden's V-Dem project, which measures 'state ownership of the economy'. It shows Washington is taking a bigger role in US industry. Porter says this breaks with the market-focused presidents before Trump, both Democrats and Republicans.
π The Backstory
Republicans hope that fear of socialism will keep them in power in the midterm elections. They point to Zohran Mamdani's promise of city-run shops in New York City. Porter argues that this misses a much bigger shift happening under Trump.
Trump has pushed for the state to take over parts of production, the article says. Porter notes the president has likely never read Lenin. He calls the trend a 'command and control' economy driven from the right, not the left.
π― Why It Matters
Government moves in business can change prices, jobs and competition. Voters should watch what leaders actually do, not just what they say.
Donald Trump and other Republicans say they will 'defeat communism'. But an analysis by Eduardo Porter says the US economy is moving toward state control. Porter argues this push is coming from Trump, not from the left.
The article points to data from Sweden's V-Dem project, which measures 'state ownership of the economy'. It shows Washington is taking a bigger role in US industry. Porter says this breaks with the market-focused presidents before Trump, both Democrats and Republicans.
Republicans hope that fear of socialism will keep them in power in the midterm elections. They point to Zohran Mamdani's promise of city-run shops in New York City. Porter argues that this misses a much bigger shift happening under Trump.
Trump has pushed for the state to take over parts of production, the article says. Porter notes the president has likely never read Lenin. He calls the trend a 'command and control' economy driven from the right, not the left.
Government moves in business can change prices, jobs and competition. Voters should watch what leaders actually do, not just what they say.