Dave Portnoy Questions Socialism’s Appeal to Immigrants
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy expressed bewilderment on Wednesday regarding the appeal of socialist ideologies among individuals who have emigrated from nations he characterized as “disasters.” Speaking on “The Adam Carolla Show,” Portnoy questioned the logic of people leaving countries with perceived socialist failures only to advocate for similar systems in the United States.
The Paradox of Socialist Advocacy
Portnoy articulated his confusion, stating, “How we’ve gotten to socialism is somehow seen as this thing that’s going to fix the United States.” He highlighted what he views as a significant contradiction: “The people are saying it has all migrated from countries that are disasters to come to the United States to get away from their country to come fix the United States, the country that everyone wants to migrate to. It’s a very confusing time.”
These remarks emerged during a discussion about recent Democratic socialist electoral successes in New York. Adam Carolla had inquired whether Portnoy might consider a run for New York City mayor, a prospect Portnoy has alluded to previously.
Potential Mayoral Run and Political Concerns
Portnoy indicated that the rise of figures like Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic socialist who backed several successful candidates in recent primaries, has prompted him to contemplate public office. He had previously suggested during a June appearance promoting his book, “Cancel Me If You Can,” that he might be the one to challenge Mamdani, whom he believes poses a threat to the entrepreneurial spirit underpinning the American Dream.
“Maybe I’m the guy to do it,” Portnoy told Fox News Digital at the time, adding that his decision would depend on how much further Mamdani “keeps pissing me off.” He described his interest in running as fluctuating, sometimes viewing public office as a civic responsibility. “Sometimes I do feel like it’s my civic duty. If I’m not going to do it, who’s going to try to do it? I don’t know. I could win. So, it’s a real feeling I have,” he explained.
Portnoy voiced significant concern over these political developments, deeming them “very crazy, dangerous, shocking.” He pointed to the effectiveness of organized activists in low-turnout primaries, suggesting that many voters are preoccupied with work and family obligations.
The Role of Activism in Primaries
“The voter turnout in the New York primaries was minuscule and they’re organized and they’re stirring up their base,” Portnoy observed. “But most people are just getting on the subway, going to work, worrying about a date on Friday.”
Carolla echoed Portnoy’s sentiment, characterizing such activists as “professional agitators” driven by perpetual grievances rather than concrete policy achievements. “I think the problem is these people are professional agitators,” Carolla stated. “They’re the grievance class and they have a grievance. They have a beef. They have a problem.”
Socialist Victories and Broader Implications
The context for Portnoy’s comments includes the victories of three candidates backed by Mamdani in New York’s June 23 Democratic House primaries: Claire Valdez, Darializa Avila Chevalier, and Brad Lander. Valdez and Chevalier identify as Democratic socialists. Lander, meanwhile, unseated incumbent Rep. Dan Goldman by positioning himself further to the left.
Mamdani, in a June 28 interview, framed these results as proof that Democratic socialist candidates can achieve electoral success nationwide, not just within New York. “I think a Democratic Socialist can get elected anywhere across this country for any position,” Mamdani asserted.
While Zohran Mamdani was reached for comment, a response was not immediately available.
