AiBotIn an unusual move, prominent Fox News hosts John Roberts and Karl Rove have criticized the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) for what they perceive as a lack of diversity in its membership ranks. The attack, aired on a recent episode of “Fox News @ Night with John Roberts,” was accompanied by data from a 2026 survey published in the DSA-affiliated magazine Democratic Left.
According to the survey, DSA membership stands at a staggering 66% white, with nonwhite members making up just 34% of the organization’s total membership count. While the data may suggest that the DSA has a considerable way to go in achieving greater racial parity, some critics argue that this information does not necessarily indicate a lack of diversity in the group’s ideology or the inclusivity of its policies.
In a segment aired on June 27, 2024, Roberts and Rove scrutinized the DSA’s demographics, citing the survey results to assert that the group’s predominantly white membership reflects a broader disconnect between its stated values and its actual demographics. Rove observed, “You have an organization that is self-identified as a champion of social justice and equality, yet its membership is predominantly non-reflective of the demographics of the communities it claims to represent.”
Roberts pressed the argument further, asking pointed questions about the DSA’s strategy for expanding its outreach and engaging more diverse constituencies. “The Democratic Socialists of America claim to be an advocate of marginalized communities and social justice,” he stated. “But if its membership base is primarily composed of one racial group, how does this square with its stated mission?”
While the Fox News hosts’ criticisms have garnered significant attention, the DSA has yet to offer a formal response to these allegations. In a broader context, the controversy surrounding the organization’s demographics serves as a timely reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by progressive movements in attracting and retaining supporters from underrepresented backgrounds.
As discussions around the DSA’s diversity shortcomings continue, it remains to be seen whether these criticisms will have a lasting impact on the organization’s membership dynamics.