Democratic Party faces internal split as democratic socialists gain influence

Recent primary elections in several U.S. cities have seen candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) defeat incumbent Democrats, prompting descriptions of a civil war within the party. Analysts point to victories in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, where DSA‑aligned figures unseated long‑standing officeholders and positioned the group as a potential kingmaker for the 2028 presidential nomination. Senior Democrats such as Senator Bernie Sanders have suggested the country may be on the verge of a political revolution driven by this leftward surge.

At the Aspen Institute’s Ideas Festival, billionaire Peter Thiel warned that democratic socialists are poised to take over the Democratic Party, linking the trend to broader cultural and economic stagnation. Thiel’s remarks reflect growing concern among establishment Republicans and moderate Democrats about the DSA’s expanding electoral footprint and its impact on the party’s future direction.