Washington, D.C. — June 28, 2026
President Donald Trump on Sunday sharply escalated his criticism of Janeese Lewis George, the Democratic nominee for mayor of Washington, D.C., labeling her a “communist” whose policies would “destroy” the nation’s capital.
In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote: “Janeese Lewis George, the Communist who is almost certainly going to be elected Mayor of Washington, D.C., has stated that she wants to empty the prisons, make D.C. a Sanctuary City, oppose ICE, welcome Criminal Illegal Aliens back into our beloved Capital, resist Anti-Crime Crackdowns, Defund the Police, continue and expand Cashless Bail, and so many other Capital destroying ‘things.’”
He added that he would not allow her to undermine progress in the city: “Many people, including myself, have worked long and hard to get it there, and we will not let it be destroyed by a Communist adherent who has no intention to, MAKE WASHINGTON GREAT AGAIN!”
Trump also described communism as “the Greatest Threat to our Country since World War I, World War II, Pearl Harbor, or 9/11!” and announced plans to meet with Lewis George.
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Lewis George, a self-described democratic socialist and current Ward 4 Councilmember, won the Democratic primary on June 16, 2026, in a strong showing. She is widely expected to win the November general election in the overwhelmingly Democratic district, succeeding outgoing Mayor Muriel Bowser.
Her campaign has focused on making the city more affordable through expanded access to childcare, zoning and permitting reforms to increase housing supply, and addressing root causes of crime, particularly among young people. She has also pledged to limit cooperation between the Metropolitan Police Department and federal immigration enforcement.
Trump’s latest remarks build on earlier comments from mid-June, when he suggested his administration could “take back Washington” and run it on a federal basis if Lewis George wins. National Guard troops have been deployed in D.C. since last year as part of federal crime-reduction efforts.
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Prediction market platform Polymarket highlighted Trump’s statement on X Sunday evening, posting: “NEW: Trump declares he will not let D.C. mayoral frontrunner Janeese Lewis George ‘destroy’ Washington with what he calls a communist agenda.”
The comments reflect broader Republican concerns about progressive policies in major cities and come amid similar criticism of other democratic socialist candidates elsewhere in the country.
Lewis George’s campaign has not yet issued a direct response to the latest Truth Social post. In reaction to Trump’s earlier takeover threat, she described any effort to undermine D.C.’s home rule as “an attack on democracy itself,” emphasizing that D.C. residents elect their own mayor.
The race has drawn national attention as a potential flashpoint between the Trump administration and the District’s local leadership over issues of crime, immigration, federal oversight, and home rule.
