Waco, TX – Texas Sen. Ted Cruz sharply criticized Democrats on Wednesday after resurfaced social media posts by Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong drew renewed attention online, accusing today’s Democratic Party of embracing extremist views.
“Today’s Democrats—who are communists—openly hate America,” Cruz wrote on X while sharing a Fox News report highlighting Hong’s past comments, including a years-old social media post that read, “Cancel Thanksgiving. Should have done this in 1621.”
The senator’s remarks are the latest example of Republicans intensifying attacks on progressive Democratic candidates ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, with Cruz echoing language President Donald Trump has increasingly used in recent weeks to describe portions of the Democratic Party, FOX News reported.
The renewed controversy centers on Wisconsin state Rep. Francesca Hong, a self-described democratic socialist who is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor. Fox News recently resurfaced several of Hong’s older social media posts, including the Thanksgiving comment and another post in which she wrote that she was close to having an anxiety attack because there were “too many old white people” inside a Culver’s restaurant. Those posts have become a focal point for Republican criticism as Hong remains one of the leading candidates in Wisconsin’s Democratic gubernatorial primary, according to the WP.
Hong has emerged as one of the highest-profile progressive candidates in the country during the 2026 election cycle. According to multiple reports, she has built her campaign around higher taxes on wealthy residents, expanded social programs, stronger labor protections, and other progressive priorities while identifying herself as a democratic socialist. Her campaign has attracted support from several nationally known progressive lawmakers and activists.
Republicans have argued that Hong’s political positions and resurfaced comments demonstrate how far left the Democratic Party has moved, particularly after a string of victories by progressive and democratic socialist candidates in several states this year. The Republican Governors Association has also invested millions of dollars in advertising portraying Hong as too liberal for Wisconsin.
Cruz’s criticism comes as Republican leaders increasingly frame the upcoming midterm elections as a choice between conservative policies and what they describe as socialism or communism. President Trump has repeatedly used similar rhetoric during campaign appearances and on social media, referring to some Democratic candidates as “hardcore, godless communists” while encouraging Republicans to campaign aggressively against them. Reuters has reported that Trump’s political team has deliberately tested anti-communist messaging with voters as part of its broader midterm strategy.
At the same time, some political historians and experts have disputed the characterization of Democratic candidates as communists. The Associated Press recently reported that while some progressive candidates identify as democratic socialists, experts say those positions differ significantly from communism, noting that democratic socialists generally advocate for expanded government programs within a democratic, market-based system rather than abolishing private property or replacing capitalism entirely.
Hong has also faced scrutiny over her recent appearance on a livestream hosted by political commentator Hasan Piker. During a subsequent television interview, she said appearing on the program did not mean she endorsed everything said by its host, adding that her campaign was focused on reaching voters wherever possible.
The Wisconsin governor’s race has become one of the most closely watched contests of the 2026 election cycle, with Hong’s progressive platform drawing national attention from both supporters and critics. As the Democratic primary approaches, Republicans have continued highlighting her past statements while Democratic allies argue the attacks are intended to weaken her candidacy before the general election.
