Dave Portnoy baffled by socialists who fled ‘disaster’ countries to ‘fix’ United States

5 hours ago 3

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy questioned Wednesday why people who left countries he described as "disasters" are promoting socialism in the United States during an appearance on "The Adam Carolla Show," where he discussed New York's Democratic socialist victories.

"How we’ve gotten to socialism is somehow seen as this thing that’s going to fix the United States," Portnoy said.

"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."

Dave Portnoy speaks at book launch

Dave Portnoy questioned why people who fled countries he called "disasters" are promoting socialism in the United States. (Theo Wargo/Getty Images)

MAMDANI RIPPED OVER RECORD-HIGH NYC RENTS WITH CRITICS POINTING TO POLICY THEY SAY IS FUELING CRISIS

Portnoy made the remarks after Carolla asked whether he would consider running for mayor of New York. He pointed to Zohran Mamdani and candidates the mayor backed in recent Democratic congressional primaries as reasons he has considered seeking office.

He previously left open the possibility of challenging Mamdani during a June 29 appearance at New York’s 92NY promoting his book, "Cancel Me If You Can." He told Fox News Digital that "somebody’s got to take that guy and beat him" and argued that Mamdani’s political rise threatened the entrepreneurial values behind the American Dream.

"Maybe I’m the guy to do it," Portnoy told Fox News Digital. "Depends on how much more he keeps pissing me off."

Portnoy said his interest in running changes depending on the day and described public office as something he sometimes views as a responsibility.

Dave Portnoy and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani side by side

Portnoy told Adam Carolla that New York’s Democratic socialist victories have made him consider running for mayor. (Theo Wargo/Getty Images; Mostafa Bassim/Anadolu/Getty Images)

WATCH: PELOSI, OMAR STAY SILENT AS MAMDANI-BACKED SOCIALIST VICTORIES SHAKE DEMOCRATIC PARTY

"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 said.

Portnoy said the victories have increased his concern about political developments in New York and nationwide.

"That to me is a very crazy, dangerous, shocking thing," Portnoy said.

He argued that organized activists have an advantage in low-turnout primaries because many other voters are focused on work, family and daily responsibilities.

darializa chevalier new york

Portnoy argued that organized socialist activists benefit from low-turnout elections while many voters focus on work and family. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images; Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images; Adam Gray/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

LIZ PEEK: JULY FOURTH EXPOSED DEMOCRATS' BIG PROBLEM WITH AMERICA'S SILENT MAJORITY

"The voter turnout in the New York primaries was minuscule and they’re organized and they’re stirring up their base," Portnoy said. "But most people are just getting on the subway, going to work, worrying about a date on Friday."

Carolla responded to Portnoy's broader criticism and described the activists as motivated by perpetual grievances rather than specific policy outcomes.

"I think the problem is these people are professional agitators," Carolla said. "They’re the grievance class and they have a grievance. They have a beef. They have a problem."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE

Mamdani backed three victorious candidates in New York's June 23 Democratic House primaries: Claire Valdez, Darializa Avila Chevalier, and Brad Lander. Valdez and Chevalier are self-described Democratic socialists, while Lander defeated Rep. Dan Goldman by running to his political left.

Mamdani framed the results as evidence that Democratic socialist candidates could compete beyond New York.

"I think a Democratic Socialist can get elected anywhere across this country for any position," Mamdani told ABC News in an interview that aired June 28.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Fox News Digital reached out to Mamdani for comment but did not immediately hear back.

CJ Womack is an associate editor at Fox News.

CJ joined Fox News Digital's team in 2026, which highlights the vital role journalism plays in shaping politics and culture. He has years of experience analyzing and reporting on the news media.

CJ graduated from Long Beach State University in 2025 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Journalism. 

You can send news tips to cj.womack@fox.com and follow CJ on Twitter.

Read Entire Article