A new Reuters/Ipsos poll highlights mixed public understanding of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) movement, as its candidates continue to win primary elections.
The three-day survey, which ended last Sunday, found that 49% of Americans said they understand democratic socialist policies, while 47% said they do not. This points to a significant challenge for the anti-establishment left in the United States.
When asked whether democratic socialists have good ideas, only 27% of respondents said they have at least a few, while 51% said very few or none, and 20% were unsure.
Notably, similar ratings applied to the ideas of the Republican-aligned MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement. Specifically, 27% said MAGA has at least a few good ideas, 57% said very few or none, and 13% were unsure.
The DSA is a political organization that states its goal is to help workers gain power through democratic means. Prominent DSA politicians include New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Recently, DSA candidates have won primary elections in New York, Colorado, and California.
President Donald Trump has exploited the movement's rise, falsely labeling all Democrats as "hard-core atheist communists." His administration recently released a 100-page report accusing left-wing activist groups in the U.S. of ties to Cuba, often based on speculative and ideological connections.
Democratic socialists advocate for progressive policies through elections, while communism seeks to abolish private property and create a classless society — ideas that democratic socialists reject.
The Reuters/Ipsos poll was conducted online among 1,248 adults nationwide, with a margin of error of 3 percentage points.
