Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio on Tuesday threw his support behind the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), saying the group is offering a political vision that resonates with a broad swath of the electorate ahead of the midterms.
Appearing on Fox News's The Ingraham Angle, de Blasio pushed back against host Laura Ingraham's characterization of the socialist movement, arguing that the DSA's emergence reflects a genuine hunger for change beyond the traditional two-party establishment.
“Like a majority of American people I think we should get out of the war in Iran. We should have Medicare for all. There’s plenty of areas I agree with them on, there’s plenty of areas where I disagree, but the point is, Laura, I respect you,” de Blasio said. “You’ve been a journalist for a long time, but your estimation of what’s going here is entirely false.”
His remarks come as DSA-backed candidates have secured notable victories in recent primaries, including in New York, Colorado, and Florida. The wins have intensified a debate within the Democratic Party about how to respond to the leftward shift.
De Blasio highlighted specific leaders emerging from the DSA who are articulating a clear agenda. “The fact is that there are specific leaders who have emerged out of the DSA who are providing a vision that actually a lot of people in this country are hungry for. That is not the status quo of what’s broken with the Republican Party and the Democratic Party,” he said.
He pointed to figures like Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and others who have won primaries recently, saying they are “pointing in a specific direction.” De Blasio’s comments align with a broader pattern of progressive gains that has unsettled centrist Democrats.
While some establishment Democrats have downplayed the socialist surge, Republican strategist Steve Bannon has warned that the movement is a formidable political force. In an interview with Politico last month, Bannon said, “They’re a national power. They have worked below the surface to perfect a ground game and a canvassing operation. It’s too late for the Democrats to recreate that.” He predicted that socialists could assume full legislative power within three to five years if unchecked.
The DSA’s recent successes have also sparked concern among party insiders about the potential impact on the Democrats' ability to win back Congress. Some argue that the leftward shift could alienate moderate voters, while others contend it energizes the base.
De Blasio, who has long championed progressive policies, framed the DSA's rise as a natural response to a broken political system. “It’s not about some stray activist members, it’s not about a platform. It is about the leaders that are emerging,” he said, citing Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez, and others as examples.
The former mayor’s endorsement of the DSA’s vision adds to the growing debate over the party’s direction. As the midterms approach, the tension between the progressive wing and the establishment is likely to shape key races and the party’s overall strategy.
