Polls show that more Americans are embracing socialism.

At the same time, politicians that call themselves Democratic Socialists are often painted by conservatives as political extremists.

What is a Democratic Socialist? And why is President Donald Trump calling a popular one in the race for New York City’s mayor a communist?

Today on the Wheelhouse, we define socialism. We’ll wade through complicated political waters to examine its history and complex ideology.

GUESTS:
Dan Haar, senior columnist and editor, CT Insider
Christopher Vials, professor of English, University of Connecticut

<a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/694835/image-capitalism-slips.aspx#:~:text=by%20Political%20Party-,Just%20off%20the%20top%20of%20your%20head%2C%20would%20you%20say,it%20positively%20and%2062%25%20negatively.">Polls</a>&nbsp;show that more Americans are embracing socialism.
At the same time, politicians that call themselves Democratic Socialists are often painted by conservatives as political extremists.
What is a Democratic Socialist? And why is President Donald Trump calling a popular one in the race for New York City&rsquo;s mayor a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/12/nyregion/trump-mamdani-nyc-mayor.html">communist</a>?
Today on the Wheelhouse, we define socialism. We&rsquo;ll wade through complicated political waters to examine its history and complex ideology.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.ctinsider.com/author/dan-haar/">Dan Haar</a>, senior columnist and editor, CT Insider</li>
<li><a href="https://english.uconn.edu/person/christopher-vials/">Christopher Vials</a>, professor of English, University of Connecticut</li>
</ul>

If you’re a news junkie — or maybe just news curious, we’ve got your weekly dose of Connecticut politics, tackling everything from tax cuts to human composting. Amplifying important local and national voices, The Wheelhouse walks listeners through the most important political stories of the week.  You’ll hear from well-known political reporters, academics, and local journalists across Connecticut’s 169 cities and towns.

If you’re a news junkie — or maybe just news curious, we’ve got your weekly dose of Connecticut politics, tackling everything from tax cuts to human composting. Amplifying important local and national voices, The Wheelhouse walks listeners through the most important political stories of the week.  You’ll hear from well-known political reporters, academics, and local journalists across Connecticut’s 169 cities and towns.

Connecticut's best journalists come out of the political trenches every Wednesday to join us on WNPR's weekly news roundtable The Wheelhouse.

The Wheelhouse

The S-word: What does ‘socialism’ mean in modern American politics?

Free speech is in focus at this year’s Wheelhouse LIVE event amid significant shifts in the world of broadcast media. If free press is the cornerstone of American Democracy, what do the Trump administration’s attacks on late night TV hosts – and Congress’ claw back of funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting – tell us about the future of American politics and pop culture?

Free speech is in focus at this year&rsquo;s Wheelhouse LIVE event amid significant shifts in the world of broadcast media. If free press is the cornerstone of American Democracy, what do the Trump administration&rsquo;s <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115256938634035559">attacks</a> on late night TV hosts &ndash; and Congress&rsquo; claw back of funding for the <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/npr-public-editor/2025/09/04/g-s1-86954/how-does-the-end-of-the-cpb-change-npr">Corporation for Public Broadcasting</a> &ndash; tell us about the future of American politics and pop culture?

The Wheelhouse LIVE: The Year Political Satire Became Too Hot for TV

Trad wives, short for “traditional wives,” are taking social media by storm.

Clips of women, dressing up in 1950s-style dresses, homesteading and making food from scratch, are receiving a lot of likes and lots of criticism on the web.

This hour, we peek behind the apron and ask: What does social media's trad wife phenomenon tell us about politics today?

Guests:
Jessica Grose, opinion writer, The New York Times
Carrie Baker, professor of the Study of Women & Gender, Smith College
Micah English, fifth year Ph.D. candidate, Yale University

Trad wives, short for &ldquo;traditional wives,&rdquo; are taking social media by storm.
Clips of women, dressing up in 1950s-style dresses, homesteading and making food from scratch, are receiving a lot of likes and lots of criticism on the web.
This hour, we peek behind the apron and ask: What does social media's trad wife phenomenon tell us about politics today?
Guests:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/jessica-grose">Jessica Grose</a>, opinion writer, The New York Times</li>
<li><a href="https://www.smith.edu/people/carrie-n-baker">Carrie Baker</a>, professor of the Study of Women &amp; Gender, Smith College</li>
<li><a href="https://politicalscience.yale.edu/people/micah-english">Micah English</a>, fifth year Ph.D. candidate, Yale University</li>
</ul>

Behind the apron: What social media's 'trad wife' trend says about today's politics

From toys to turkeys, holiday purchases and their price tags are being shaped by politics.

President Donald Trump’s tariffs and years of persistent inflation are leaving many Americans with sticker shock. Higher prices are hitting not just for big importers, but also at your favorite local shops and restaurants.

Many Americans tell Consumer Reports that they’re “very or extremely” concerned about price increases – with three-quarters of respondents pointing to tariffs as a big reason why.

This hour, we’re exploring the impact of the economy on holiday shopping here in Connecticut.

GUESTS:
Daniel Desrochers, international trade reporter, Politico
Chris Raymond, home and tech editor, Consumer Reports
Daniela Doncel, Latino communities reporter, Connecticut Public

From toys to turkeys, holiday purchases and their price tags are being shaped by politics.
President Donald Trump&rsquo;s tariffs and years of persistent inflation are leaving many Americans with sticker shock. Higher prices are hitting not just for big importers, but also at your favorite local shops and restaurants.
Many Americans tell Consumer Reports that they&rsquo;re &ldquo;very or extremely&rdquo; concerned about price increases &ndash; with three-quarters of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.consumerreports.org/money/consumer-reports-price-tracker-helps-you-shop-smarter-a3522354573/">respondents</a>&nbsp;pointing to tariffs as a big reason why.
This hour, we&rsquo;re exploring the impact of the economy on holiday shopping here in Connecticut.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.politico.com/staff/daniel-desrochers">Daniel Desrochers</a>, international trade reporter, Politico</li>
<li><a href="https://www.consumerreports.org/about-us/our-people/our-experts/chris-raymond/">Chris Raymond</a>, home and tech editor, Consumer Reports</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/people/daniela-doncel">Daniela Doncel</a>, Latino communities reporter, Connecticut Public</li>
</ul>

The S-word: What does ‘socialism’ mean in modern American politics?

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