During remarks at the NATO summit in Ankara on July 8 and in earlier Independence Day addresses, President Donald Trump warned that communist ideology is experiencing a resurgence in the United States and globally. Trump described communism as dangerously appealing because of promises like free housing, but argued it historically leads to poverty and repression. He compared the threat to Pearl Harbor and the September 11 attacks, asserting that communist takeovers are irreversible. Without naming specific figures, he characterized some political opponents as very dangerous. Trump's comments come as self-described democratic socialists have won recent Democratic primaries. He urged Americans to protect the nation’s identity, calling communism a mortal threat to American liberty.