Louisiana's Republican Senator John Kennedy took a sharp jab at the Democratic Party's left wing, using Cuba as a metaphor for the dangers of socialism. He claimed that those steering the party's current course "know the Cuban national anthem by heart."
During an appearance on Fox News' Hannity on Monday night, Kennedy accused progressive Democrats of advocating for policies that, in his view, jeopardize America's future.
"The current leaders of the Democratic Party are intent on dismantling America. It's that straightforward. They want open borders, open jails, reduced police funding, and cuts to ICE. Each and every one of them knows the Cuban national anthem by heart," the senator stated, as reported by Townhall.
Kennedy employed the Cuba reference to underline his criticism of the growing socialist tendencies within the Democratic Party.
"Socialism is nothing more than shared misery," he declared.
Known for his sharp rhetoric and provocative comparisons, Kennedy singled out several figures he associates with the leftward shift: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani; Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed; Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Senator Bernie Sanders.
"These individuals aim to tear down America. They harbor disdain for the country when they should be grateful," he asserted.
Nonetheless, Kennedy acknowledged that not all Democrats share these views and that many are apprehensive about speaking out.
"There are plenty of Democrats who disagree but are too afraid to voice their opinions," he noted.
Additionally, Kennedy aimed some of his harshest words at former Vice President Kamala Harris, whom he deemed politically insignificant after squandering her opportunity.
"Vice President Harris is no longer relevant. She had her chance and missed it. She can try to align with the 'Lulu Lenins' all she wants, but I couldn't care less about her thoughts. She's outdated," he remarked.
Kennedy's comments come amidst a rise of left-aligned candidates in various Democratic contests for 2026.
El-Sayed recently secured victory in Michigan's Senate primaries, while other progressive candidates, including Melat Kiros and Francesca Hong, strive to solidify their positions ahead of the fall elections.
In New York, Mamdani took office as mayor at the start of 2026 following a campaign that proudly embraced his democratic socialist identity.
Cuba at the Forefront of Anti-Socialist Rhetoric in the U.S.
Using Cuba as a benchmark to critique the American left is not new within the Republican Party and holds particular significance among Cuban expatriates who fled the regime established by Fidel Castro.
In April, Cuban-American Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart argued that Democratic leadership had transformed into the socialist or communist party of the United States.
Other Cuban-American legislators, such as Carlos Giménez and María Elvira Salazar, have also referenced Cuba in warning against policies they link to socialism.
For Kennedy, invoking the Cuban anthem serves as a particularly provocative metaphor to ideologically characterize the Democratic Party's progressive faction.
Key Insights on Kennedy's Critique of Democrats
Why did Senator John Kennedy reference Cuba in his criticism?
Senator Kennedy used Cuba as a symbol to emphasize the dangers of socialism, associating the Democratic Party's left wing with socialist ideologies reminiscent of the Cuban regime.
What specific policies did Kennedy criticize?
Kennedy criticized policies such as open borders, prison reform, defunding the police, and budget cuts to ICE, which he attributes to the Democratic Party's leadership.
Who are some of the figures Kennedy associated with the left wing of the Democratic Party?
Kennedy mentioned New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Senator Bernie Sanders as part of the Democratic Party's left wing.