Trump Claims 'Jihadists' Are Being Elected in Democratic Primaries

On August 10, 2026, President Donald Trump criticized Democratic voters for electing what he referred to as 'jihadists' during a press event. He made these remarks while discussing the 2026 primary cycle, suggesting that progressive candidates are being labeled as 'communists' and expressing concern over their proposals. Trump stated, 'Whether it’s communism, jihadism... we should use the word jihadist because that’s what’s happening.' He did not specify any candidates but described them as failures from other countries who are attempting to influence U.S. governance. He expressed opposition to proposals to defund the police and military, stating, 'People don’t want to have radical lunatics involved in running our country.'