Why Calling a Democrat a Socialist Isn’t the Insult It Once Was

October 23, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

On the campaign trail ahead of the midterms, Republicans are running ads calling Democratic candidates "socialists" and even "communists." But the strategy is losing its sting. As WSJ national security reporter Vera Bergengruen explains, what voters consider radical has shifted over the last two decades, and the GOP's attack line isn't keeping up. Meanwhile, the Justice Department has sued Alaska over a ballot with two Dan Sullivans, and the U.S. is rolling back some tariffs on Canada in what the Journal reports is a bid to help Maine Senator Susan Collins. Apple's new foldable iPhone is in stores but hard to find, and a promising cancer vaccine from Moderna and Merck saw its stock drop after trial data disappointed inflated expectations. And for the first time in 44 years, the Milwaukee Brewers are in the World Series, facing the Tampa Bay Rays—two low-payroll teams that beat the sport's richest franchises.

The Socialist Label Isn't Sticking Like It Used To

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What you'll learn

1 (00:33) **Trump Tariffs and Midterm Maneuvering** - The Justice Department sues Alaska over ballot confusion, and the U.S. removes tariffs on Canadian products to help Senator Susan Collins.
2 (02:22) **The Socialist Label Loses Its Sting** - Republican ads calling Democrats socialists and even communists are failing to resonate, especially with younger voters.
3 (04:00) **Socialist Attacks Everywhere, but Fading** - The tactic is used nationwide but is losing steam in many places, except in Florida.
4 (05:03) **Populist Ideas Gain Bipartisan Support** - Voters on both sides are warming to policies once labeled socialist, driven by affordability concerns.
5 (05:43) **Democrats Plan for Hegseth Impeachment** - If Democrats retake the House, they aim to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, seeing him as an easier target than Trump.
6 (08:04) **Market Moves and Apple’s Foldable Phone** - The Dow drops, oil prices surge, and Apple’s new iPhone Duo hits stores with limited supply.
7 (08:55) **Moderna and Merck’s Cancer Vaccine Disappoints Investors** - A premature data release for an experimental melanoma vaccine caused a stock drop, despite positive trial results.

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Show Notes

P.M. Edition for Oct. 23. In midterm races around the country, Republicans are warning about radical socialists. But WSJ national security reporter Vera Bergengruen tells us that warnings of a “communist menace” don’t carry the sting they used to with U.S. voters. Plus, President Trump is rolling back 50% tariffs on some Canadian goods to boost ReSusan Collins’ bid to hold onto her Senate seat. And Xavier Martinez, who covers biotech for the Journal, explains why Moderna investors were underwhelmed by the leaked details of a clinical trial for a breakthrough cancer vaccine. Alex Ossola hosts.

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