NYC socialist candidates sweep Democratic primaries as Trump supporters respond

Americans who gathered on the National Mall when President Donald Trump kicked off the America250 games at the Great American State Fair said the socialist attack in New York was a warning sign to Democrats – who they say history has rejected.

“If you study history, you will see that many countries have tried to cross that path and ended up in disaster,” said Jill, an 11th grade teacher in Georgia. “If you talk to immigrants from former socialist countries, they will tell you that they left for communist countries. They left for that reason.”

Fox News Digital spoke to Americans gathered on the National Mall Wednesday evening for Trump’s rally to kick off the 250th anniversary of the Great American State Fair, where attendees shared why they believe welfare will fail in the United States.

The comments follow New York City’s Socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani scoring another political victory on Tuesday, with all three congressional candidates who passed—Brad Lander, Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier—winning their Democratic primaries.

WINNERS AND LOSERS AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE INCLUDING THE NYC PRIMARIES

The victory was widely seen as another sign of Mamdani’s growing influence in the Democratic Party and increasing social acceptance.

The Socialist’s victory in most of New York’s Democratic primaries revealed a stark contrast in politics that many who attended Trump’s rally told Fox News Digital as a stark reminder of the direction they fear the country is headed.

Race attendee Jill told Fox News Digital that she went to East Germany at the age of 16 when the Berlin Wall came down, an experience she now brings to the classroom by showing her students photos of the trip.

“I show my students pictures, and we talk about what communism means … capitalism is what put us here. We’ve been a capitalist country for too long. They have to be very careful when they vote. They have to learn and be informed voters,” Jill continued.

While Socialism is collapsing in the Soviet Union and East Germany, it continues to shape the governments of countries like Cuba and Venezuela – two countries that President Donald Trump has focused his foreign policy efforts on in an effort to support democratic transitions.

NYC VOTERS RECOGNIZE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISM AS AOC, SANDERS STUMP FOR MAMDANI

Trump supporters speak to Fox News Digital at the Great American State Fair rally. (Hannah Brennan/Fox News Digital)

“I don’t support socialism… If you look at Cuba, the difference there is… compared to other Caribbean countries around, it’s completely different. And they drive old cars. They don’t even have heating and air conditioning… capitalism makes that happen. And so I’m very much in favor of working for what you want… I still think that America is a place where the American dream can still come true,” said Toni.

“One hundred million people were killed by communism, whether they came from China and Mao or Stalin and Russia, Hitler. We cannot forget our history, or we have a tendency to repeat it, and we must definitely reject this. It has never worked anywhere. And capitalism and free market society have benefited the world,” said David from Annapolis, Maryland.

Jennifer, who is from Tennessee, said she is concerned about the rise of Socialism in America.

“It is not something that benefits our country and our values,” he said.

Living in Rochester, New York, Norma told Fox News Digital that she has 10 grandchildren and worries about the next generation.

“New York is so beautiful, I hate to say it, it’s gone so far … I’ve lived there for 22 years. There are conservative people there, but unfortunately, there’s this new agenda coming,” he said.

NYC VOTERS LOADED WITH MEETING PLANS AS MAMDANI PUSHES FOR RENTALS, CITY-RELATED SHOPPING

Father and son traveled from New York. (Ashley DiMella/Fox News Digital)

Mamdani has faced criticism from conservatives over proposals that include free city buses, free childcare and city-run grocery stores, with Americans at the event telling Fox News Digital that the “free” programs ultimately come at the expense of taxpayers.

“Socialism promises everything, but it can’t deliver money for everyone … history has shown where socialism fails … the proof is in the pudding,” said Billy from North Carolina.

“I don’t agree with it at all… we can’t provide everything for free,” said Nicky from Tennessee.

DANGER OR OPPORTUNITY? PUBLIC NEWS AS A PLACE FOR POLITICAL DISCUSSION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

People watch as US President Donald Trump speaks during the opening ceremony of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall on June 24, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

When Fox News Digital asked Gen Z and Millennial voters if Mamdani was “cool,” Sarah of Massachusetts and Johanna and Elizabeth of California answered, “no.”

“I understand the appeal that socialism has, but I don’t think it’s the way our country should go. I think it makes sense in theory,” said Sarah. “Actually, that’s not how it ends up looking. It’s really scary to see so many of my generation leaning that way.”

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“It’s a really good idea to have everything for free in socialism, but it doesn’t really work in the real world,” added Johanna. “If you look at countries that have already tried socialism, it hasn’t worked. And it doesn’t encourage innovation.”

Elizabeth, who visited Washington, DC this week, said she agreed with her friends, adding, “I’m not a socialist. I’m a Republican.”