Emmer Challenges ABC Host on Communist Labeling of Democrats

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer from Minnesota engaged in a heated debate with Jon Karl, the host of ABC’s “This Week,” during an interview that aired on Sunday. The discussion kicked off when Emmer acknowledged the Republican Party’s need to address rising gas prices as the midterm elections approach.

“Honestly, I would say that $4 gas and $6 diesel are simply not acceptable,” Emmer stated. “We, as Republicans, all stand by that. Yet, it also doesn’t mean we should vote for communists.”

Karl, laughing lightly, responded, “I think most Democrats would assert they’re not communists, so I would argue that there aren’t many communists appearing on the ballot in this election.”

Emmer, however, quickly countered, asserting, “Well, you’re mistaken; they are indeed communists.” After Karl pointed out the existence of “some Democratic socialists” on the ballot and tried to shift to another topic, Emmer pressed on.

He continued, “Jon, you just referred to them in the manner they prefer. There’s nothing democratic about socialism. For over a century, they have tried to label themselves as progressives when, in reality, they were socialists. Admitting to being a socialist wasn’t acceptable back then. Now, they’re openly communists and Marxists. Just take a look at the platform of the Democratic Socialists of America.”

Karl made another attempt to pivot the conversation, but Emmer remained resolute.

“They advocate defunding the police, eliminating prisons, implementing government-only healthcare, and promoting the Green New Deal—which would cost each American family perhaps an additional $355,000. That’s what we really need to discuss,” Emmer emphasized.

Earlier in their exchange, Emmer expressed frustration with how the mainstream media has reported on inflation and high gas prices under President Biden compared to President Trump. He remarked, “I don’t like to point fingers at you journalists, but have you noticed that under Biden, the average gas price exceeded $5 per gallon? Under Trump, it decreased—despite the necessary actions taken regarding Iran. Now it’s just below $4. Grocery inflation? Under Biden, it hit over 13%, but under Trump, it was only two percent. That’s an eleven-point difference. But you don’t seem to report this accurately. It’s not that the American people are unaware; they’re just not receiving the truth from the media.”

Fox News Digital reached out to both Emmer and ABC News for their remarks on this exchange. Recently, Emmer made similar allegations in an interview with Fox News Digital, targeting what he described as the far-left wing of the Democratic Party, calling them “communists, Marxists, and anarchists.” He had particular criticism for Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan, who insists he is not a socialist.

Emmer had more rebukes ready, referring to remarks about U.S. NFL football as a symbol of toxic masculinity and a stance supporting a terrorist with views suggesting America deserved the loss of lives on 9/11. He concluded, “These individuals are more anti-American than anything else.” As the midterm elections approach, many candidates supported by the Democratic Socialists of America are campaigning for office.