Mehek Cooke argued that Democrats have failed to change course after recent political losses and instead are embracing candidates and activists associated with the Democratic Socialists of America, warning that the movement is becoming increasingly focused on ideological control.

During an exchange with Rich Edson, the discussion turned to whether Democrats would reconsider nominating candidates associated with the DSA despite divisions inside the party.

Those tensions have become increasingly visible ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, with Reuters reporting disputes between progressive and establishment Democrats in several battleground states.

“Either house of Congress here, given how favorable the political positioning is for them, do you think they're going to take a hard look at some of these candidates, these DSA-associated candidates that they nominated this round?” Edson asked.

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Cooke said she does not expect Democrats to retreat from their current direction.

“Rich, I don't, because the Democrat Party had a massive opportunity after losing the White House, the Senate, and Congress, and they refuse,” Cooke said.

“They have actually doubled down on these radical positions.”

Cooke pointed to the departure of a DSA member she identified as Jake Altman, arguing that his criticism of the organization showed what she sees as a disturbing change in its priorities.

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“And my gosh, I applaud Altman today, a DSA member that has left, and he's actually telling us something very troubling,” Cooke said.

“He's actually telling us that the DSA now has the CCP blueprint.”

Cooke compared the movement’s internal culture to tactics she associates with the Chinese Communist Party, particularly when it comes to dissent and ideological conformity.

“That's exactly what they're doing in our country. They're silencing any type of dissent. They're making sure that they no longer want anybody that refuses to go along with this ideology,” Cooke said.

The DSA describes itself as the largest socialist organization in the United States and says it seeks democratic control over the economy and society.

Its current priorities include labor organizing, housing, healthcare, environmental policy and electoral politics.

Cooke, however, argued that the organization has moved beyond economic policy.

“They were about economics, but now they're all about control,” she said.

“That's exactly what the CCP does, and they hate America, another CCP propaganda line.”

That comparison represents Cooke’s characterization of the organization rather than the DSA’s stated description of its goals.

Cooke also referenced progressive political figures and commentators who have remained connected to the broader socialist movement, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Hasan Piker.

Piker has appeared alongside DSA-backed candidates and participated in DSA events, while Ocasio-Cortez has long been associated with the organization’s political movement.

“Even Hasan Piker has come out, and AOC is cheering that she's part of this DSA populist movement today,” Cooke said.

She then argued that Republicans could appeal to people who have become disillusioned with the DSA or no longer agree with the direction of its economic and political agenda.

“So, I think if anything, Republicans have an opportunity for any DSA members that feel lost and confused because they don't like the economic policies of this movement, join the Republican Party, because we don't silence, we don't stop you from holding your beliefs and your values to live the American dream,” Cooke said.

Cooke concluded that Democrats have failed to respond to criticism of their progressive wing and predicted that the party would continue along the same path.

“But this is very troubling,” Cooke said.

“Democrats will not learn. They haven't learned in the past. They won't learn in the future.”

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The DSA has continued expanding its political activity in recent years, with members and affiliated candidates holding elected office across the country and the organization maintaining an active role in campaigns, organizing and policy debates.

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