# US criticism of Democratic Socialists > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-criticism-of-democratic-socialists > Updated: 2026-08-03T19:07:46.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 2. In early August 2026, talk‑show host Bill Maher used his program to label the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) as effectively communist, citing the group’s platform and calling for a classless society and the seizure of the means of production. He expressed a preference for former Republican vice‑presidential candidate Sarah Palin over any DSA‑aligned Democratic candidate. Two days later Maher reiterated his criticism, referencing DSA affiliates such as New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and influencer Hasan Piker, and again accusing the organization of seeking to seize the means of production. Simultaneously, the right‑wing Olive Tree Ministries published an article echoing Maher’s claims, urging readers to view the DSA and mainstream leftists as Marxist threats. The snapshots together trace a brief escalation in right‑leaning media attacks on the DSA, expanding from a single commentator’s remarks to coordinated commentary across multiple outlets. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-03: Bill Maher and Olive Tree Ministries Attack Democratic Socialists Bill Maher mocked the DSA on his TV show, and Olive Tree Ministries published a piece labeling Democrats as Marxists, both targeting the Democratic Socialists of America. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bill-maher-and-olive-tree-ministries-attack-democratic-socialists ### 2026-08-01: Bill Maher claims Democratic Socialists are communists on his show Bill Maher accused the Democratic Socialists of America of being communists on his show, eliciting audience gasps, and said he’d vote for Sarah Palin over DSA‑aligned Democrats. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bill-maher-claims-democratic-socialists-are-communists-on-his-show --- Cite as: US criticism of Democratic Socialists. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-criticism-of-democratic-socialists