CNN viewers got to witness a magnificent piece of historic whitewashing today, in service of propping up a Senate candidate aligned with the Democrat Socialists of America (DSA). While questioning the Florida Democrat nominee to the U.S. Senate, Angie Dixon, on her potential engagement with the various exile communities in the state, The Arena host Kasie Hunt suggested these Latin American dictatorships were run by “National Socialists.”
Watch the exchange below, including Nixon’s unresponsive response:
WATCH: CNN's @kasie whitewashes DSA by casting Cuba, Venezuela dictatorships as "National Socialist." Angie Nixon passes on the easy condemnation bait, launching into a word salad response
KASIE HUNT: There are some critical Hispanic communities, Latino communities in Florida… pic.twitter.com/g4El5Q6Dpd— Jorge Bonilla (@BonillaJL) August 21, 2026
KASIE HUNT: There are some critical Hispanic communities, Latino communities in Florida who have had experiences with leaders in Central and South America, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Cuba, who hear the word “socialist” and think about National Socialists. What would you say to them about your embrace of that label?
ANGIE NIXON: So what I would say to them is that I totally understand where they're coming from. And I hear and realize that some of them have experienced some trauma in the past because some folks are still alive. Right? But I want folks to know that I have always actively fought against anything that has come from a government that is said to be oppressive or keep people down, right, including this President of the United States, Donald Trump. Right? I am someone who simply wants us to have access to quality health care. I don't believe that anyone should be going bankrupt simply because they're trying to stay alive, or because they go to the doctor. I don't believe we should be allowing our teachers to not have living wages and living on the streets or in their cars which, literally, there are some teachers who have had to call my office because the state of Florida is ranked 50th when it comes to paying their educators, right? And so I am someone who wants to put the power back in the hands of the people. I believe that hardworking, everyday people should get to shape what our communities look like and what our economies look like. And right now, the people that are shaping what our- what our country looks like are the billionaire class, right? Are the wealthiest of the wealthy. They have no clue what it feels like right now to decide whether or not you are going to put food on the table, or put that gas in your car so that you can get a- get to work. These are decisions that people- everyday people have to make.
And meanwhile, we have unelected Ashley Moody and Donald Trump only looking out for their campaign donors, which are these millionaires and billionaires and these corporations. Last year, over 88 companies made over $105 billion. They paid absolutely nothing in federal taxes. I spoke with someone the other day. She said she made $55,000 last year, and she's on a payment plan with the IRS. The status quo cannot remain any longer. The system is broken, and it's not even broken. It's designed to be this way. It's designed to make regular, everyday people just feel so distraught and like nothing will change. And I am happy that I'm running because I'm providing hope, letting folks know that we want- we don't want government like in our business. We want government to work for us. We are the ones who are the bosses, not these billionaires, not these corrupt politicians. Everyday hard-working people.
The Cuba question is a persistent one because it was one week ago that the DSA published a gushing memorial tweet to commemorate Fidel Castro’s 100th birthday. Nixon, as a member of the DSA, should expect to get these questions given that she seeks to represent MIAMI in the United States Senate.
However, the question is negated by Hunt’s bizarre frame of Latin American dictatorships as being “National Socialist.” Is that as in Nazi? This makes no sense whatsoever except to give the DSA-affiliated Nixon some very easy condemnation bait. This, by the way, is patently false. These regimes are not “National Socialist”. They’re socialist- the end state of what DSA leadership would like for America. Their celebration of Fidel Castro confirms it.
The record reflects that Nixon did not take that condemnation bait. Instead, she responded in three parts. First, Nixon offered empathy (“I totally understand…”). She then proffered a bridging statement before saying “But Trump” and shifting to her talking point word salad. Hunt offered no subsequent followup after Nixon’s rambling answer, shifting instead to the DC leadership votes parlor game.
The interview ended on D.C. questions and that’s a shame. Nixon has not yet been pressed on the DSA, Cuba, and what that means to her engagement with communities that abhor socialism because they’ve lived through its effects. Hunt could’ve leaned into that question. Sadly, she did not.
Click “expand” to view the full transcript of the aforementioned interview as aired on CNN’s The Arena on Thursday, August 20th, 2026:
KASIE HUNT: All right. Fresh off her upset victory in Florida's Democratic Senate primary, state Representative Angie Nixon picking up a key endorsement today from senator Bernie Sanders, who praised Nixon's, quote, “unprecedented win”, saying this- quote: “Angie's campaign is proof that Florida voters are looking for candidates who will fight for them and who will take on the greed of the billionaire class.” Sanders wrote in a statement, quote, “this is the future of the Democratic Party. They say Florida's a red state. I don't believe that's true.” Nixon, who is a member of the DSA, now has just a little over two months to win over general election voters in a state that Trump won in 2024 with a decisive 13-point margin. Joining me now in The Arena is Florida's Democratic nominee for Senate, state Representative Angie Nixon. Thank you so much for being here, Representative. I really appreciate it. My topline question for you is, are you a Bernie Sanders Democrat?
ANGIE NIXON: I am a Democrat for the people. I do align with a lot of things that Bernie Sanders aligns with. But again, I am not 100% with everyone or everything or every organization. I'm a member of.
HUNT: Is there a- something that you would identify that you disagree with Bernie on?
NIXON: I mean, I'd have to go through the list but what I do know that we agree on is making sure that we're fighting to bring about access to universal health care. We also believe in making sure that there are fully funded public schools. We want to get big money out of politics. And those are a few of the things that we do, in fact, agree on.
HUNT: Would you say that you are a democratic socialist?
NIXON: I would say that I am a member of the DSA. Yes, I joined the organization, but I am someone who believes that the Democratic Party is a big ticket- I'm sorry, a big tent party. And we just want things like access to quality health care for everyone. We also support things like universal child care, because we know that for every $1 that is spent, it puts $3 into the economy. It allows parents to be able to get back to work. It allows students to have a strong foundation when they are starting school. And so those are things that I have been fighting for my entire adult career, and I'm going to continue to fight for those when I become the next United States Senator and actually deliver on them.
HUNT: There are some critical Hispanic communities, Latino communities in Florida who have had experiences with leaders in Central and South America, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Cuba, who hear the word “socialist” and think about National Socialists. What would you say to them about your embrace of that label?
NIXON: So what I would say to them is that I totally understand where they're coming from. And I hear and realize that some of them have experienced some trauma in the past because some folks are still alive. Right? But I want folks to know that I have always actively fought against anything that has come from a government that is said to be oppressive or keep people down, right, including this President of the United States, Donald Trump. Right? I am someone who simply wants us to have access to quality health care. I don't believe that anyone should be going bankrupt simply because they're trying to stay alive, or because they go to the doctor. I don't believe we should be allowing our teachers to not have living wages and living on the streets or in their cars which, literally, there are some teachers who have had to call my office because the state of Florida is ranked 50th when it comes to paying their educators, right? And so I am someone who wants to put the power back in the hands of the people. I believe that hardworking, everyday people should get to shape what our communities look like and what our economies look like. And right now, the people that are shaping what our- what our country looks like are the billionaire class, right? Are the wealthiest of the wealthy. They have no clue what it feels like right now to decide whether or not you are going to put food on the table, or put that gas in your car so that you can get a- get to work. These are decisions that people- every day people have to make. And meanwhile, we have unelected Ashley Moody and Donald Trump only looking out for their campaign donors, which are these millionaires and billionaires and these corporations. Last year, over 88 companies made over $105 billion. They paid absolutely nothing in federal taxes. I spoke with someone the other day. She said she made $55,000 last year, and she's on a payment plan with the IRS. The status quo cannot remain any longer. The system is broken, and it's not even broken. It's designed to be this way. It's designed to make regular, everyday people just feel so distraught and like nothing will change. And I am happy that I'm running because I'm providing hope, letting folks know that we want- we don't want government like in our business. We want government to work for us. We are the ones who are the bosses, not these billionaires, not these corrupt politicians. Everyday hard working people.
HUNT: So given all of that- that you've just said: Hakeem Jeffries, who would be in line to be Speaker of the House, recently said he doesn't support Medicare for All. He's not on that bill anymore. He used to be. Uh, is he wrong? Why? Why is the leadership- do Democrats have the right leaders here in Washington?
NIXON: He is absolutely wrong. How can you all of a sudden change the tune? And I'll tell you how you change the tune when your corporate donors decide to give you more money so that you won't...
HUNT: So should he not be Speaker?
NIXON: You know that is- that is up to the Congress people. I'm running for U.S. Senate.
HUNT: Well, what about Chuck Schumer? Should he be the Majority Leader if Democrats take back the Senate?
NIXON: You know, I think I would possibly be looking elsewhere when I become the next United States Senator in regards to leadership. And, I mean, we need to make sure that we have people who are centered on people who are working for people, right? And so, again, the majority of people are going to…
HUNT: Do you think Schumer is going to support your campaign? Do you expect Democrats in Washington to send money to help you win?
NIXON: I actually have Democrats in Washington already sending me money, and are already agreeing to campaign…
HUNT: The DSCC? Have they committed to- to go on the air for you? In a big way?
NIXON: The- who did you say, the DSCC?
HUNT: The DSCC.
NIXON: No, I haven't- I haven't heard from- no- they're- yeah. No, actually we're- our campaign is supposed to have a conversation with them sometime this week. But I want to be clear because a lot of people this is my introduction to them. I am someone who is a former vice chair of a Democratic Executive Committee in Duval County. I also worked for the state party, the Florida Democratic Party, as a political director and a field director. I'm also a union organizer. I'm also someone who is not ashamed or afraid to vote against my caucus if it's not in the benefit- if it's not benefiting hardworking, everyday people. I'm also okay with voting against Republicans. It's not about that. It's about the people for me.
HUNT: All right. I don't mean to cut you off. We're just up against a hard break here at the end of the show and I want to thank you very much for your time. Angie Nixon. I hope you’ll come back.
NIXON: For sure, Thank you. Thank you so much. Bye.
HUNT: Of course.
