Sign up for our daily briefing
Make your busy days simpler with Axios AM/PM. Catch up on what's new and why it matters in just 5 minutes.
Catch up on the day's biggest business stories
Subscribe to Axios Closer for insights into the day’s business news and trends and why they matter
Stay on top of the latest market trends
Subscribe to Axios Markets for the latest market trends and economic insights. Sign up for free.
Sports news worthy of your time
Binge on the stats and stories that drive the sports world with Axios Sports. Sign up for free.
Tech news worthy of your time
Get our smart take on technology from the Valley and D.C. with Axios Login. Sign up for free.
Get the inside stories
Get an insider's guide to the new White House with Axios Sneak Peek. Sign up for free.
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Want a daily digest of the top Denver news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Denver
Want a daily digest of the top Des Moines news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Des Moines
Want a daily digest of the top Twin Cities news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Twin Cities
Want a daily digest of the top Tampa Bay news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Tampa Bay
Want a daily digest of the top Charlotte news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Charlotte
Sign up for Axios NW Arkansas
Stay up-to-date on the most important and interesting stories affecting NW Arkansas, authored by local reporters
Ocasio-Cortez at the State of the Union. Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
President Trump jumped in his State of the Union address from the "socialist policies" of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro — which he said had plunged the South American country into "abject poverty and despair" — to "new calls to adopt socialism in our country."
Why it matters: Trump's point is a simple one: When you hear calls for socialism from the likes of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez or Sen. Bernie Sanders, think of the disaster in Venezuela. He added: "Tonight, we renew our resolve that America will never be a socialist country." However, the causes of Venezuela's economic collapse go beyond "socialist policies" — they include corruption, criminality and economic mismanagement at the highest levels of government.
Go deeper: Exclusive poll... young Americans view socialism favorably.