Return of the Red Scare: how the US right is weaponising the word ‘communism’

The Conversation · 🇦🇺 public Australia · Aug 04, 2026 · 852 words · By Theodore E Zorn

Political Rhetoric US Election Strategy Democratic Socialism vs Communism

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What to know about Political Rhetoric

The article examines the use of the term 'communist' by Republican politicians and the Trump administration to describe Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and other Democrats. The author argues that this rhetoric is a strategic attempt to influence midterm elections by reviving 'Red Scare' tactics and conflating democratic socialism with authoritarian communism.

Propaganda risk 40%

Claims checked 14

Techniques found 4

Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage

Left14%

Center72%

Right14%

7 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

“Communism is no longer a far fetched threat,” speaker of the US House of Representatives Mike Johnson warned on social media recently.

Why it matters

“It is here on our SHORES!” Johnson is hardly alone.

Common ground

After candidates associated with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) movement won several Democratic primaries in June, President Donald Trump alone invoked communism 81 times within two weeks.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Name Calling / Labeling, Appeal to Fear: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

Follow-up questions

What new context would change how readers understand this Political Rhetoric story?
What evidence would most clearly confirm or weaken the claim that In the second Red Scare of the 1950s, Senator Joseph McCarthy used allegations of communist association to destroy careers and silence dissent?
How does this story connect Political Rhetoric with US Election Strategy over the next few days?

open_in_new Read the original article: https://theconversation.com/return-of-the-red-scare-how-the-us-right-is-weaponis…

analyticsAnalysis

40%

Propaganda Score

confidence: 90%

Moderate concerns. Notable use of persuasive or loaded language.

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 4 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning

Loaded Language 90% confidence

Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.

Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.

Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

warning

Name Calling / Labeling 80% confidence

Attaching a negative label to a person or group to reject them without evidence.

Why it matters: Recognizing name calling / labeling helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

warning

Appeal to Fear 80% confidence

Building support by instilling anxiety or panic in the audience.

Why it matters: Recognizing appeal to fear helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

warning

Straw Man 70% confidence

Misrepresenting an opponent's argument to make it easier to attack.

Why it matters: Recognizing straw man helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 14 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

schedule Pending 4

check_circle Corroborated 3

help Insufficient Evidence 2

verified Verified By Reference 2

info Single Source 2

verified Verified 1

schedule

Claim 1: “In the second Red Scare of the 1950s, Senator Joseph McCarthy used allegations of communist association to destroy careers and silence dissent.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

help

Claim 2: “House Speaker Mike Johnson recently claimed [that DSA-backed candidates endorse every plank in the DSA national platform].”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was found after searching for this claim.

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Claim 3: “President Donald Trump alone invoked communism 81 times within two weeks.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources, including a Reuters analysis cited by AOL and other news outlets, specifically state that Donald Trump invoked communism 81 times in a two-week period (June 23rd to July 8th).

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who is the 47th president of the United States. A member of the Republican Party, he served as the …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Trump

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Mary Anne Trump (née MacLeod; May 10, 1912 – August 7, 2000) was a Scottish and American socialite and philanthropist who was the wife of American real-estate developer Fred Trump and the mother of fi…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Anne_MacLeod_Trump

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Donald Trump's use of social media attracted worldwide attention since he joined Twitter (now X) in March 2009. Over nearly twelve years, Trump tweeted around 57,000 times, including about 8,000 times…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Use_of_X_by_Donald_Trump

+ 3 more evidence sources

verified

Claim 4: “speaker of the US House of Representatives Mike Johnson warned on social media recently. “It is here on our SHORES!””

VERIFIED BY REFERENCE

While evidence confirms Mike Johnson is the Speaker of the House, none of the provided search results or Wikipedia entries contain the specific quote 'It is here on our SHORES!' or a social media post regarding communism on US shores.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — An election for speaker of the United States House of Representatives took place on January 3, 2025, on the opening day of the 119th United States Congress, two months after the 2024 elections for the…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Speaker_of_the_United_Sta…

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — James Michael Johnson (born January 30, 1972) is an American lawyer and politician serving as the 56th speaker of the United States House of Representatives since 2023. A member of the Republican Part…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Johnson

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — On October 17, 2023, following the October 3 removal of Republican Kevin McCarthy as speaker of the House, members of the U.S. House of Representatives began the process of holding an intra-term elect…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October_2023_Speaker_of_the_Un…

+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 5: “candidates associated with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) movement won several Democratic primaries in June”

CORROBORATED

Multiple independent web sources (Vox, CNN) report that DSA-backed candidates won primaries in New York and other areas in June.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Zohran Mamdani’s DSA-backed candidates sweep NYC primaries, reshaping Democratic Party. 04:13 · 24 June 2026 · 3 min read · Source: Vox.
https://xeber.world/en/article/zohran-mamdanis-dsa-backed-ca…

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web search NEUTRAL — Voters headed to the polls in several states yesterday for primaries ahead of the November midterms, and one of the most shocking results of the night involved Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) c…
https://www.megynkelly.com/2026/08/12/dsa-candidate-francesc…

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web search NEUTRAL — Following the primary wins by DSA-backed candidates in New York, the Florida Democratic Party’s likely nominee for governor, David Jolly (another former Republican), told CNN, “I think New York electe…
https://www.cltampa.com/news/dsa-candidates-are-winning-demo…

schedule

Claim 6: “The first Red Scare followed the Russian Bolshevik Revolution of 1917.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 7: “The Palmer Raids of 1919 and 1920 (named after attorney general A. Mitchell Palmer) saw thousands of suspected radicals and immigrants arrested, many without warrants.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

verified

Claim 8: “New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, America’s best-known democratic socialist, recently announced more than 50 reforms to reduce red tape for small businesses.”

VERIFIED

Wikipedia confirms Zohran Mamdani is the Mayor of New York City and a democratic socialist. Multiple web sources and the NYC Mayor's Office confirm he announced over 50 reforms to reduce red tape for small businesses.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Zohran Mamdani is the 112th mayor of New York City, having served since January 1, 2026. A member of the Democratic Party and the Democratic Socialists of America, Mamdani was elected mayor in the 202…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayoralty_of_Zohran_Mamdani

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Zohran Mamdani, an American Democratic politician serving as the mayor of New York City, identifies as a democratic socialist. He is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America's New York City ch…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Zohran_…

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Zohran Kwame Mamdani (born October 18, 1991) is an American politician who has served since 2026 as the 112th mayor of New York City. A member of the Democratic Party and the Democratic Socialists of …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zohran_Mamdani

+ 3 more evidence sources

info

Claim 9: “Trump has also reportedly pressured corporations to make large donations to his own pet projects.”

SINGLE SOURCE

The provided evidence includes general information about Donald Trump and a mention of pressure from Miriam Adelson regarding Hamas, but there is no evidence in the provided text regarding pressuring corporations to donate to his 'pet projects'.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who is the 47th president of the United States. A member of the Republican Party, he served as the 45th president from 2…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Trump

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Trump had recently taken to social media, declaring, “The hostages are being held so violently, inhumanely, and against the will… Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the …
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-837566

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — (67) Donald J. Trump on X: “My NEW Official Trump Meme is HERE!
https://x.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1880446012168249386

info

Claim 10: “the US State Department published a 100-page report portraying US journalists, trade unionists and activists as participants in a Cuban-communist influence network.”

SINGLE SOURCE

Only one web search result ('Return of the Red Scare') mentions the 100-page State Department report portraying journalists and activists as part of a Cuban-communist influence network. Other results discuss visa cancellations or travel to Cuba but do not confirm this specific report.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — .us is the Internet country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for the United States. It was established in February 1985. Registrants of us domains must be U.S. citizens, residents, or organizations – or …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.us

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — In the United States, a state is a constituent political entity, of which there are 50. Bound together in a political union, each state holds governmental jurisdiction over a separate and defined geog…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._state

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The United States Department of Defense (DoD), also referred to as the Department of War (DoW), is an executive department of the United States federal government charged with coordinating and supervi…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Department_of_De…

+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 11: “the supposedly free-market Trump administration has taken or announced ownership stakes in 30 private companies.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple independent sources, including National Review and other web reports, state that the Trump administration has taken ownership stakes in approximately 30 private companies.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Federal Government expands ownership across 30 companies.President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House on April 14, 2025, in Washington, DC (Win McNamee/Getty Images). Since 2025…
https://news.meaww.com/house-republican-slams-trumps-private…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — The Trump administration has also frequently used heavy tariffs as a cudgel against industry, sometimes lifting those levies in return for promises by companies to invest in the United States.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/13/business/economy/trump-eq…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — The Republican president keeps taking a government stake in private companies, now up to 30 firms.The administration is now completely comfortable with widespread access to marijuana and is an ally to…
https://www.nationalreview.com/the-morning-jolt/both-parties…

verified

Claim 12: “the Trump administration had hosted a “Ministerial on the Resurgence of Political Terrorism” attended by representatives from 65 countries.”

VERIFIED BY REFERENCE

The provided Wikipedia entries for Donald Trump and his second presidency do not mention a 'Ministerial on the Resurgence of Political Terrorism' or the attendance of 65 countries.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — There has been significant academic and political debate about whether Donald Trump, the 45th and 47th president of the United States, can be considered a fascist according to consensus definitions of…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Trump_and_fascism

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Donald Trump's second and current tenure as the president of the United States began upon his inauguration as the 47th president on January 20, 2025. Trump, a Republican, previously served as the 45th…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_presidency_of_Donald_Tr…

schedule

Claim 13: “Trump’s approval ratings have fallen to record lows in several recent polls”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

help

Claim 14: “ten Republican representatives have proposed [that state legislatures – not voters – to choose US senators]”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was found after searching for this claim.

info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.