President Donald Trump has been using the term ‘communism’ to describe his opponents, sparking debate about the tactic. In a recent speech, Trump said ‘communism is a mortal threat to American liberty’ and vowed that ‘America will never be a communist country’.

Red-Baiting Tactic

Trump’s use of the term ‘communism’ is seen as a form of red-baiting, a tactic used to discredit opponents by labeling them as communists or socialists. This tactic has been used in the past by politicians such as Senator Joseph McCarthy, who accused many Americans of being communist sympathizers during the Cold War.

However, some experts argue that Trump’s use of the term ‘communism’ is not about the actual ideology, but rather a way to signal to his base that their way of life is under threat. ‘It’s a kind of broad-brush way of saying, ‘These people are not like us; these people threaten our way of life’,’ said Austin Sarat, a professor of jurisprudence and political science at Amherst College.

Effectiveness of the Tactic

Research has shown that red-baiting tactics can be effective in mobilizing certain groups of voters, but they can also backfire. In the 1960s, Senator Barry Goldwater’s accusations of communism against President Lyndon B. Johnson backfired, and Johnson went on to win the election. Similarly, Trump’s use of the term ‘communism’ may not resonate with younger voters, who are more likely to view socialism and communism as less threatening.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.