Trump revives old tropes as he pushes warnings of ‘communist menace’
Donald Trump has renewed Cold War‑era anti‑communist rhetoric, describing a resurgence of a “communist menace” in the United States. He referenced historical figures such as Roy Cohn and Joe McCarthy and cited a new State Department report on Cuba’s alleged subversive activities. Critics argue his language conflates democratic socialism with communism and question its relevance to contemporary politics.
- ▪Trump warned of a “communist menace” in a speech at Mount Rushmore, linking it to recent Democratic socialist candidates.
- ▪A 100‑page State Department report titled “Cuba: the Capital of 21st Century Communism” claims Cuban influence infiltrates U.S. groups.
- ▪Roy Cohn, former counsel to Senator McCarthy, is noted as a mentor to Trump in his early career.
- ▪Democratic Socialists of America members such as Zohran Mamdani and Darializa Avila Chevalier have been highlighted by Trump as evidence of the threat.
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Trump delivers a speech in Philadelphia in 2016. Roy Cohn, Joe McCarthy’s chief counsel, became Trump’s mentor in later decades. Photograph: Mark Makela/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenTrump delivers a speech in Philadelphia in 2016. Roy Cohn, Joe McCarthy’s chief counsel, became Trump’s mentor in later decades. Photograph: Mark Makela/Getty ImagesDonald TrumpTrump revives old tropes as he pushes warnings of ‘communist menace’President harks back to red scare of his childhood to attack US left – but will such language resonate beyond Maga base?Robert Tait in WashingtonSun 26 Jul 2026 06.00 EDTLast modified on Sun 26 Jul 2026 06.01 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GooglePerhaps above all else, Donald Trump is a child of the cold war.Three months before the US president was born, Winston…
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