In Latino communities across the United States, a contentious question is emerging: Is Vice President Kamala Harris a communist? Since she became the Democratic candidate for president, Harris has faced numerous misleading allegations labeling her as a socialist or communist, as reported by a major Spanish-language fact-checking organization.
Experts indicate that these unfounded claims exploit “genuine fears” among voters who escaped regimes in countries such as Cuba and Venezuela.
A viral video falsely depicted Harris and her running mate in front of a sign for a far-left group, which was later proven to be manipulated by supporters of Donald Trump.
This misinformation reached a wide audience, garnering over 420,000 views on its original post, with many Spanish-speaking users sharing it further.
Evelyn Pérez-Verdía, a cultural strategist from South Florida, emphasized the prevalence of doubt regarding Harris’s political affiliations in local media. After hearing discussions about the fake video on a Spanish-language radio station, she contacted the hosts to clarify its inaccuracy. Although they acknowledged the video’s falsity, they persisted in their suspicion of Harris as a “Marxist.”
‘Genuine fears’ exploited
With nearly 36.2 million eligible Latino voters in America, making up approximately 14.7% of the electorate, communities in swing states like Nevada and Arizona are increasingly important in upcoming elections.
While historically leaning Democratic—44% of Latino voters supported Joe Biden in 2020 compared to 16% for Trump—recent polling indicates Republicans may be gaining support, driven by economic concerns, immigration, and abortion rights.
For many, the political rhetoric around “socialism” resonates with their past experiences of political repression.
Communities with significant Cuban and Venezuelan populations have been particularly vulnerable to anti-socialist messaging, with misinformation echoing the trauma of their pasts.
Some voters are frustrated by what they consider insufficient Democratic responses to political repression in their home countries, further complicating the political landscape.
Despite valid concerns, many immigration advocates are cautious about the exploitation of these fears, noting the need for honest dialogue rather than inflammatory rhetoric.
Debate heightens ‘communist’ accusations
Research reveals that anti-communist claims are not limited to Latino voters; they are also prevalent in broader right-wing circles. Since the 2020 election, a sustained campaign has aimed to instill fear over socialism.
After the recent presidential debate, where Donald Trump labeled Kamala Harris a “Marxist,” searches for her name surged, indicating a heightened public interest in these accusations.
The debate not only triggered a wave of social media chatter but also sparked a significant spike in online searches for terms related to communism.
Amidst this climate, fabricated claims asserting Harris’s ties to communism gained traction, with inaccurate images and documents circulating widely on social media.
‘We’ll slide into communism’
While the Democratic Party does not endorse socialism or communism, rhetoric from prominent figures within the party, such as those advocating for “democratic socialism,” has fueled skepticism among some voters.
Harris’s previous support for Medicare for All and her recent proposals to address price inflation have been mischaracterized as steps toward communism, sparking outrage from those sensitive to the issues they faced in their home countries.
Duke Machado, a Latino Republican activist, expressed concerns that Democratic policies could lead the U.S. down a path to communism, sharing his apprehensions with followers on social media.
