Donald Trump Jr. recalls childhood in Czechoslovakia, warns of the "threat" of socialism

At the Republican Party convention in Dallas, Donald Trump Jr. recounted stories told by his grandparents about life in communist Czechoslovakia, using the memories as a warning about what he called a growing threat of socialism and communism in the United States. The Guardian reports.

The US president's eldest son claimed that Democratic candidates openly embrace the radical ideology of democratic socialism. "They say their socialism is for the people, but that's the exact same story we've heard from every communist in human history," he said in his speech.

Family roots in Zlín

Trump Jr. recalled his family's ties to former communist Czechoslovakia: his mother, Ivana Trump (née Zelníčková), was born in Zlín, and as a child he used to spend holidays there with his grandparents.

"My grandfather taught me how important it is to rely on yourself, and how dangerous socialism can be. He showed me the bread lines and the ration cards," he said. According to him, communism is once again on the rise today and must be stopped.

Trump Jr. presented the Republican platform — which includes promises to eliminate taxes on tips, overtime pay and social benefits — as a response to what he described as Democrats' "war on working people."

Sharp rhetoric from other speakers

Other speakers at the convention struck a similar tone. They praised President Donald Trump's achievements and, like his son, portrayed the Democratic Party as extremist and closely aligned with communism.

Senator Ted Cruz warned against an alliance of "communists and Islamists," whom he accused of hating Christians, Jews and capitalism. He also recalled his father's story of fleeing Cuba. House Speaker Mike Johnson claimed the United States is under "attack from within" and that the Democratic Party has been taken over by radicals.

Rallying ahead of the elections

The two-day convention was meant to mobilize Republicans ahead of November's elections, in which, according to polls, the party risks losing its majority in the House of Representatives and possibly the Senate as well. President Trump urged supporters to vote as if his own name were on the ballot. "This is going to be one of the most important elections," he said. He also promised that if Republicans win, every adult American will receive $5,000.

Democrats, for their part, dismissed the convention as a political show. California Democratic Congressman Robert Garcia said Trump was holding a two-day celebration of himself while ordinary American families struggle with expensive groceries, rising rents and high fuel prices.

Source: seznamzpravy.cz