Talk about unexpected!
The Democratic Socialists of America, known for their critiques of the wealthiest one percent, have a surprising statistic: almost a third of their members reportedly earn six-figure salaries annually, according to an internal survey that has recently come to light.
The survey reveals that approximately 28% of DSA members have incomes surpassing $100,000, with 56% employed in comfortable office positions across sectors like academia, technology, public service, non-profits, white-collar professions, and healthcare.
A staggering 80% of these members hold college degrees, and 35% possess at least a master’s or professional degree—far exceeding the national average for educational attainment.
This income information is drawn from a 2021 survey that has resurfaced this week, suggesting that current figures might be even higher. The organization chose to omit this data from its 2025 survey release.
Notable members of this “laptop class” include Ahmed Husain, an engineer from Bahrain residing in New York City who advocates for “ending the US empire;” Leemah Nasrati, an immigration lawyer involved in anti-ICE training sessions; and Hanna Johnson, a DSA leader serving as the deputy chief of staff for State Assemblymember Emily Gallagher.
And the DSA’s poster boy, Mayor Zohran Mamdani – the son of Disney filmmaker Mira Nair – comes from a family whose vast wealth includes a lush compound in Uganda that boasts its own housekeeper, gardeners and security.
His mother’s cult film “Mississippi Masala,” with actor Denzel Washington, was filmed at the property.
The DSA regularly talks about Karl Marx’s theory of class struggle and has made “taxing the rich” a big legislative priority this session. Its latest merch even bears the slogan “decompose the rich.”
But the numbers shed light on the group’s staggering hypocrisy, critics said.
“You have to give them credit for convincing people who are 180 degrees different from them that these trust fund socialists are speaking up for their best interests,” quipped Former City Council Minority Leader Joe Borelli.
“They don’t know the working class, but they have read a lot of books on them.”
Few followed “Squad” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s (D-NY) lead and worked in a bar – with only 6% of members in the service or retail industry.
Even the self-described “Bronx girl,” a DSA member herself, is regularly mocked for trying to make her short stint as a bartender such a big part of her public image when she had a comfortable upbringing in Westchester.
An even smaller number of members – 4% had blue collar jobs, and another 4% were writers, performers or in the arts – like National Political Committee member and mime David Jenkins.
Another 5% were self-employed, 8% were students and 15% were unemployed or retired.
The socialist organization, which reached 100,000 members in February, saw a massive demographic shift in the mid-2010s, with younger members, galvanized by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’ presidential run, joining what had previously been an organization made up mostly of aging hippies and retirees.
In 2013, the median age was 68. By 2021, it dropped to 33, with the majority of members, 73%, Millennials or Gen Zs.
As a sign of their financial comfort, 54% of members had either dished out personal funds on the DSA or bought merchandise, the survey reported.
And despite its frenzied push for equity, black membership was at a measly 4% — well below the group’s 15% share of the American population.
One area where the DSA had representation that far exceeded that of the general population: 10% of DSA members identified as non-binary and a staggering 32% identified as LGBTQIA+.
The DSA did not return The Post’s request for comment.
