Trump’s desperate war on ‘socialism’ is failing within his own party

Republican voters appear more open to government ownership of private businesses than the party's own rhetoric would suggest, according to new polling from the Economic Innovation Group and Echelon Insights. The survey found 29% of Republicans favor the government holding a stake in independent companies, a higher share than among independents or Democrats. Majorities in every group still reject the idea, according to MS NOW.

MS NOW opinion blogger Ja'han Jones argues the result reflects President Donald Trump's own practice of having the government take ownership stakes in companies, a habit some critics have labeled "MAGA Maoism." Jones contends that Republicans who once objected to Washington choosing winners and losers are now, in roughly a third of the party, backing a policy he calls plainly socialist.

The finding lands as Trump and fellow Republicans accuse liberals of socialism and communism to frighten voters before this year's midterm elections. Conservative leaders have also introduced anti-communist lessons for schoolchildren. Scott Lincicome, a vice president at the libertarian CATO Institute, offered a pointed reading of the numbers, describing the danger of socialism as originating within the Republican ranks themselves.

Summarized by PolitiKool from MS NOW’s reporting. Read the full story at MS NOW →