Trump says Iran requested Doha meeting as Tehran denies direct US talks
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US President Donald Trump said on Monday Iran had requested a meeting in Doha on Tuesday, despite Tehran denying direct negotiations with Washington. Trump said the talks would occur in Qatar, while the White House said US envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner would travel there for high-level meetings.
President Donald Trump revealed to Daily Wire White House Correspondent Mary Margaret Olohan on Monday that the growing influence of democratic socialism inside the Democratic Party represents “the biggest threat to our nation.”
Olohan asked the president if he was concerned that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani had become the “poster child” for socialist candidates nationwide.
Trump argued that recent electoral victories by socialist candidates signal a broader ideological shift on the Left. “Well, I think it’s a big threat to our nation actually,” Trump said. “Because it’s not socialism, it’s really communism. They use the word social democrat because it sounds so nice, but it’s really communism you’re talking about.”
“I think this is the biggest threat to our nation there is, maybe since our founding,” Trump continued. “People will smile when I say that, but the smart people are going to say, you know, he’s probably right.”
The comments come as democratic socialists continue building momentum in Democratic strongholds following a string of primary victories.
In New York City, three Democratic Socialist-backed candidates won Democratic congressional primaries. Queens Assemblywoman Claire Valdez captured an open House seat with Mamdani’s endorsement, while Darializa Avila Chevalier defeated incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat, and Brad Lander unseated Rep. Dan Goldman.
The victories add to a broader trend that has seen self-described democratic socialists capture mayoral offices in several of America’s largest cities. Mamdani took office earlier this year in New York City after campaigning on government-run grocery stores, rent freezes, free buses, and expanded public childcare.
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson has similarly advanced left-wing spending initiatives, while Washington, D.C., Democratic Socialist Janeese Lewis George is expected to become mayor after winning the Democratic primary.
Supporters argue the candidates are delivering on an affordability agenda centered on housing, childcare, and public services. Critics, including Trump, contend the movement represents a fundamental challenge to free-market principles and traditional American governance.
The latest victories have intensified debate over whether democratic socialism remains confined to deep-blue cities or represents the future direction of the national Democratic Party.