Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, described communism as the most destructive ideology in modern history during an exchange with commentator Konstantin Kisin, pointing to its global record and impact on human liberty.
Kisin opened the discussion by asking Cruz about his perspective on communism, given his background and experience.
"Senator, what do you know about communism that most Americans don't with your background?" Kisin asked.
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Cruz responded by outlining his view of communism’s historical impact and its consequences across countries where it has been implemented.
"Communism isn't the most evil, twisted, depraved ideology mankind has ever produced. It has resulted in more murder, more suffering, more torture, more poverty, more misery than any ideology. It is unequivocally evil."
Cruz continued by expressing his stance on those who promote or support the ideology.
"I hate communists, and I don't hide it. They are everywhere that darkness has touched."
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He pointed to examples of leadership under communist or authoritarian systems, contrasting the lifestyles of those in power with the conditions faced by the broader population.
"It has oppressed and and it is empowered by the way, for the communists look, Fidel Castro lived like a billionaire, Putin lives like he's a billionaire. I mean, it's very good to be an uncontrollable despot. It just sucks for everybody else."
Cruz said that systems associated with communism often concentrate power among a small group while limiting economic and personal freedoms for the public.
"And so I think defeating communism is incredibly important, and it is."
He concluded by describing communism as incompatible with core principles tied to individual rights and economic systems.
"Communism is the antithesis of human liberty, of free enterprise."
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The exchange focused on Cruz’s long-held views regarding communism’s global record, as well as broader concerns about its impact on governance, economic conditions, and individual freedoms.
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