House Republicans reportedly have been advised to tie socialism and Marxism to communism as they attack Democrats heading into the midterms, according to a new strategy memo circulated among GOP lawmakers.
The memo, obtained by the Washington Examiner, argues that voters view communism as a far greater threat than either socialism or Marxism and encourages Republicans to connect the three ideologies in campaign messaging.
"Americans still hold communism as far more dangerous and alarming than socialism and Marxism," the memo states.
"That is an important indicator for Members: do your best to connect all three together, because these government systems are fruit of the same poisonous tree."
The recommendation was based on polling by conservative research firm co/efficient, which surveyed 2,634 registered voters from July 13-16 and found that 42% identified communism as the most dangerous form of government for the United States.
Socialism ranked second at 15%, while Marxism drew 6%. The survey's margin of error was plus or minus 1.88 percentage points.
The messaging guidance comes as several Democratic Socialists of America-backed candidates advance toward November's elections, fueling Republican efforts to portray the Democratic Party as increasingly aligned with the far left.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has repeatedly framed the 2026 election as a battle between mainstream American values and left-wing ideology.
"We have been saying that this was an election that was shaping up as a contest between common sense and crazy, and now it is literally in many sectors around the country, common sense versus communism," Johnson told reporters this week.
House Republican Conference Chair Lisa McClain, R-Mich., echoed that message during a recent Capitol Hill roundtable on communism, warning of what she called "the rise of communism" in America.
President Donald Trump also has intensified his rhetoric against the Democratic Party's progressive wing, recently telling the Faith & Freedom Coalition that some of its leaders are "hardcore, godless communists" rather than social democrats.
The memo also urged Republicans to personalize tax policy by emphasizing that workers should keep more of their own money rather than focusing solely on broader economic debates.
According to the polling, 71% of respondents preferred messaging centered on allowing workers to keep more of their earnings, compared with 17% who favored higher taxes to expand government benefits.
The strategy aligns with broader Republican election efforts.
The National Republican Congressional Committee has amassed a record $82.6 million this election cycle, giving House Republicans a significant financial advantage as they seek to defend their narrow majority while arguing Democrats are moving further toward socialism and, ultimately, communism.