Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., told Newsmax on Thursday that the Democratic Party is “embracing socialism and communist ideology for self-preservation” to avoid losing to progressive challengers like New York State legislator Zohran Mamdani, the Democrat candidate for New York City Mayor.

Mamdani on Wednesday met with several congressional Democrats, who emerged from the meeting praising the mayoral candidate and pushing back on accusations that he is a communist.

“This guy is not a communist,” said Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., in remarks to reporters after the meeting. “He is not a socialist. He is an advocate for small C capitalism.”

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