Memo urges Republicans to tie Democrats to communism
A memo prepared for the House Republican Conference recommends that members associate socialism and Marxism with communism in their criticisms of Democrats, as voters perceive communism as more dangerous. The memo highlights that 42% of Americans see communism as the most threatening government system, compared to 15% for socialism and 6% for Marxism. It emphasizes framing these ideologies as connected threats originating from the same “poisonous tree” to intensify alarm among the public. The memo discusses political strategies to depict Democrats as leaning toward communism, citing concerns about the rise of socialist candidates and the increasing prominence of socialist rhetoric within the Democratic Party. It also notes that a meaningful portion of Americans across various demographics are concerned about socialist candidates gaining influence in Congress. The report advises focusing messaging on economic policies that appeal to personal financial interests, such as tax reduction, to better resonate with voters. Prominent political figures like House Speaker Mike Johnson and former President Donald Trump have publicly warned against the dangers of communism, framing it as the greatest threat to the nation in recent history.
EXCLUSIVE — A strategic memo prepared for the House Republican Conference advises members to tie socialism and Marxism to communism in their attacks on Democrats, because voters consider the latter “far more dangerous and alarming.”
The memo comes as Democrats see a surge of socialist candidates in the 2026 cycle, with the socialist wing of the Democratic Party set to more than double its numbers after the November midterm elections.
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“Americans still hold communism as far more dangerous and alarming than socialism and Marxism,” reads the memo obtained exclusively by the Washington Examiner. “That is an important indicator for Members: do your best to connect all three together, because these government systems are fruit of the same poisonous tree.”
The polling memo, conducted by conservative political research firm co/efficient, shows 42% of respondents consider communism as the “most dangerous system of government for the United States to pursue.”
Socialism ranks second, at 15%, and Marxism ranks third at 6%. Twenty-four percent of respondents answered “none of the above.”
The political research firm polled 2,634 registered voters from July 13 to 16 through text and landline interviews. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.88%.
“Call them what they are: Socialists, Marxists, Communists. Communism rings the loudest alarm with constituents (42 percent name it the most dangerous system), so do not retreat to the softer label just because socialism alarms fewer in the abstract,” the firm advised. “Connect all three, fruit of the same poisonous tree, and let the family name carry the alarm.”
The memo was sent to House Republican offices on July 20. House Republican leadership has repeatedly linked the rise of socialist candidates in Democratic primaries as a precursor to a rise in communism in recent weeks.
“We have been saying that this was an election that was shaping up as a contest between common sense and crazy, and now it is literally in many sectors around the country, common sense versus communism,” House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) told reporters Wednesday. “We have done our job. We’ll continue to do it.”
House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-MI), who held a roundtable on Tuesday on the “threat of Communism,” said during her opening remarks that “What my biggest concern is today is what we’re witnessing here in America, and what we’re witnessing is the rise of communism.”
“Socialism is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, and we have to call it out,” McClain said. “And part of what we need to do is we need to educate people where communism comes from, but where it leads to.”
President Donald Trump has also messaged heavily against communism in recent weeks, saying during an appearance at the Faith & Freedom Coalition’s 2026 policy conference late last month that “These are not social democrats, these are hardcore, godless communists.”
He continued, “This is the most serious threat to our country since its existence, in my opinion, 250 years ago. This is a major threat to our country.”
Seven candidates endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America are advancing to the general election, with 11 other candidates still facing off in competitive primaries.
The memo also shows 63% of Americans are “very or somewhat concerned about” the socialist candidates poised to join the House next Congress. That concern spans across voting blocs as well, including 65% of Americans of color, 60% of women, 52% of moderates, and 50% of voters ages 18-34.
The political research firm also advised members to “Open every tax conversation in the personal frame,” as the polling showed registered voters are more receptive to messaging that would have them keep more of their own money.
The language used regarding economic policy proves crucial, with 53% of registered voters preferring to lower taxes and regulations versus 39% wanting to “tax the rich” and provide social services. Comparatively, when the question is tweaked to “should workers keep more of their own money or should taxes be increased to provide benefits for others,” 71% of respondents believed workers should keep their own money, versus only 17% wanting to raise taxes for social benefits.
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“Two separate questions, and the right-of-center answer wins both: the philosophy is settled either way,” the memo argues. “What moves is the intensity. The debate question is third person and programmatic, and it hands the other side its best phrase, “the rich”; it wins, but narrowly, and moderates drift away (51 to 37 against us).”
It continues, “Intensity follows personal stake, not ideology, and that rule, personal over abstract, worth 40 points of margin, drives every
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