Colorado congressional candidate Melat Kiros brushed aside concerns about communist influences within the Democratic Socialists of America during a PBS interview Friday, arguing that the issue amounts to little more than political rhetoric unless self-described communists begin winning elections.
Kiros, who is running to represent Colorado in the U.S. House of Representatives, addressed the topic during an appearance on PBS’s “Firing Line,” where host Margaret Hoover questioned her about criticism Republicans have leveled against the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).
Hoover noted that Republicans have highlighted the DSA’s embrace of Marxist ideology and pointed to repeated warnings from President Donald Trump that the United States faces serious consequences if communists gain political power.
“In June, President Trump said these are ‘hardcore, godless communists. This is the most serious threat to our country since it’s existence,’” Hoover said before asking Kiros directly whether she considered herself a communist.
“No, I’m not a communist,” Kiros responded.
Hoover then pressed further, asking how Kiros responds to criticism that some members of the Democratic Socialists of America, including what Hoover described as half of the organization’s leadership, openly identify themselves as communists.
Kiros downplayed the concern, comparing it to ideological diversity elsewhere in American politics.
“Yeah, well you know, some members of the Democratic Party are proudly proclaiming themselves as capitalists,” she said. “It’s a big tent, right?”
She went on to argue that voters ultimately determine which political viewpoints gain traction at the ballot box.
“At the end of the day, it’s up to the voters,” Kiros said. “Until a self-proclaimed communist actually wins an election, than it’s just noise from the Republican Party.”
Kiros’ comments come after she and several other socialist candidates secured victories in Democratic primary elections held in June.
Among those winners were New York Democratic candidates Darializa Avila Chevalier and Claire Valdez, both of whom are members of the Democratic Socialists of America. According to the article, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is also a card-carrying member of the organization and endorsed both Chevalier and Valdez during their primary campaigns.
Beyond advocating for socialist economic policies, the Democratic Socialists of America has also taken positions on other national issues.
According to the organization’s website, the DSA opposes what it describes as President Trump’s “racist immigration policies.” The organization also opposes the United States’ alliance with Israel, stating that Israel has committed a “genocide” in Gaza.
The recent primary victories prompted a response from President Trump, who initially reacted with sarcasm.
Soon after the June primaries, Trump congratulated Mamdani for helping elect what he called “solid Communists.”
In the days that followed, however, Trump adopted a more serious tone, warning that communists were beginning to gain political momentum in the United States.
“The game is on,” Trump said. “Enjoy watching!”
Trump has repeatedly criticized socialism and communism in recent weeks, making the issue a recurring theme of his public remarks.
During his Fourth of July address, the president described communism as a “cancer” that must be addressed as soon as possible.
He echoed that warning during a speech in Georgia last week, where he argued that the consequences of communist governments are straightforward.
“With communism, everything turns to sh*t!” Trump said.
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