Socialists and communists are having more influence on the Democratic Party — and Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) does not like it.
He noted figures like Socialist streamer Hasan Piker are pulling the partytowards more radical ideas.
"I would never try to elevate … a communist just because [Piker] has followers on some, on Twitch, whatever that is,” Fetterman told Fox News Digital at the Israel on Campus Coalition conference Tuesday. “But overall, if you identify with a communist who praises Mao and Cuba and for these places, that should be foreign to any Democrat. Without a doubt, that's having an impact.”
Piker has become more influential on the Democratic left and has backed Socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. He has also campaigned for Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed
Piker has also touted Mao Zedong and blamed the U.S. for the suffering in communist Cuba.
Fetterman told Fox News Digital the direction of the Democratic Party has has taken is "troubling" and pointed to Tuesday’s primaries as an example.
"I see the midterms right now that the more radical, the more anti-Israel, and the people have turned Israel as to the ultimate litmus … When you have Gov. Newsom describing Israel as an apartheid state. He knows better, that that's not true," the senator said.
He added it should be "pretty obvious" that the party should not "pander to the fringe."
"Those are core values. … Like I said, you just can't pander to those kinds of people," he added.
President Donald Trump said earlier this summer, the Democratic Party had moved beyond socialism.
"These are not social Democrats," Trump said in June. "These are hardcore, godless communists. They're godless communists. All communists are godless. They don't believe in God. This is the most serious threat to our country since its existence. In my opinion, 250 years ago. This is a major threat to our country."
Trump said Tuesday night the Democratic Party is a "mess” if more socialists prevailed in primary races.
"I think they should form another party, the communist of America party. I think they should have a new party, the communists of America, and it will do well, it'll get about 10% of the vote," Trump said.