government
Trump and Republicans return to communist attacks against Democrats ahead of the midterm elections
By Steven Sloan, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 2, 2026
· 6 min read
President Donald Trump and his fellow Republicans are reviving a line of attack against Democrats heading into the midterm elections: They're communists. In just the past week, Trump has issued dark warnings that members of the Democratic Party's ascendant left are communists who want to “complet...
Key takeaway In just the past week, Trump has issued dark warnings that members of the Democratic Party's ascendant left are communists who want to “completely destroy the traditional American way of life" and even engage in assassinations.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
In San Antonio , where the cost of living continues to rise and income inequality persists, the Republican strategy of labeling Democrats as communists may not resonate with voters who are increasingly concerned about access to affordable healthcare and economic opportunities. The city's own experiences with democratic socialism, such as efforts to expand public transportation and increase funding for social services, may have already shifted the conversation about the role of government in addressing social and economic issues. As Republicans attempt to nationalize the midterm elections around ideology, local Democrats may be able to counter with specific policy proposals that address the everyday concerns of San Antonio residents, potentially blunting the impact of the communist label. The outcome will depend on how effectively each side can connect their message to the lived experiences of voters in Bexar County.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: July 2, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 6 min
Get more The San Antonio stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering government and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? President Donald Trump and his fellow Republicans are reviving a line of attack against Democrats heading into the midterm elections: They're communists. In just the past week, Trump has issued dark warnings that members of the Democratic Party's ascendant left are communists who want to “complet...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 2, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Steven Sloan, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More government →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter