When I was younger, I was told, “Once it’s on the internet, it’s there forever.” This useful saying is followed by some but haphazardly discarded by others. A notorious trope is that politicians are always in public relations rehab thanks to past online statements, and that has never been truer for the new wave of socialists. From politicians to influencers, they have all shown their dark, twisted fantasies of overt anti-American extremism online.

During the 2026 wave of socialism, we have seen a surge of Democratic Socialists of America influencers and candidates running for public office. In this election cycle full of nationwide political mayhem, we have witnessed an overperformance from DSA members. From New York to Wisconsin to California, all of these members are riddled with pasts they are rightfully struggling to shake off.