Following November’s midterm elections, politicians linked to the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) are described as gaining influence, including leadership roles in major cities such as New York and Los Angeles. Reports say the term “socialism,” long treated as politically toxic in the US, appears to be losing some of its stigma as more candidates openly embrace it.
Dawn reports that DSA-endorsed figures improved their congressional presence and won local elections, attributing at least part of this momentum to voters becoming more comfortable with the label and to campaign messaging focused on affordability. However, it also includes perspectives from political scholars who argue electoral gains may be driven more broadly by Democratic performance and public dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump, rather than by socialism branding alone. The article also provides context on the DSA’s growth, linking membership increases to the post-2016 period.
Free Malaysia Today frames the same post-midterms narrative more briefly, focusing on the claim that DSA members now lead multiple cities, including New York and Los Angeles.
