Why ‘Comrade Kamala’ Memes Are Spreading Among Latino Exiles

Let’s dive into a topic that’s been gaining traction lately, especially within Latino exile communities: a curious question that seems to be on many minds — Is Kamala Harris a communist?

It might sound strange, but this question is being fueled by a meme that’s gone viral, sparking concern and confusion. What’s interesting is how this misinformation taps into real fears for many Latino voters who fled countries with authoritarian, socialist regimes. These voters aren’t just hearing political rhetoric; they’re seeing echoes of the systems they escaped.

But let’s break it down, starting with where this all began: a fake meme that took off online and refuses to go away.

The Meme That Started It All and Why ‘Comrade Kamala’ Memes Are Spreading Among Latino Exiles

You’ve probably seen it — an image showing Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz standing in front of a sign for the “Revolutionary Communists of America.” Sounds shocking, right? Well, it’s totally fake.

The image was doctored by a group known as the Dilley Meme Team, a collective of hardcore Trump supporters who specialize in creating viral content. The doctored image went viral, gaining over 420,000 views, with many people believing it was real. And unfortunately, this isn’t just an internet thing. This meme made its way to Spanish-language radio stations and conversations offline, particularly in places like Miami where Cuban and Venezuelan exiles are deeply engaged in political discussions.

Why Latino Exiles Are Concerned

Let’s talk about why this meme hit so hard in Latino exile communities. Many of these communities have direct experience with socialist and communist regimes. For people who fled from places like Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua, anything that smells even slightly like socialism or communism is enough to set off alarm bells.

So when a meme like this circulates, linking a political figure like Kamala Harris to communism, it stirs up real anxiety. Even though the image is fake, the fear is very real. People start asking, “Could there be some truth to this? Is she secretly aligned with these ideologies?”

This isn’t just idle gossip. As we’ve discussed in previous posts on TalkNice, disinformation is designed to create doubt and play on people’s emotions. The fear of communism isn’t theoretical for many Latino exiles — it’s something they lived through and escaped. When a narrative like this one begins to spread, it can take root quickly, especially if it taps into these deep-seated fears.

Misinformation Spreads Fast — Even Offline

Here’s the thing: this misinformation isn’t staying confined to Twitter or Facebook. It’s spilling over into real-life conversations, especially on trusted platforms like Spanish-language radio stations.

Take La Nueva Poderosa, for example, a popular station in Miami. Evelyn Pérez-Verdía, a cultural strategist based in South Florida, shared her experience with this very issue. While listening to the station, she heard the hosts discussing the doctored meme as if it were real. One of the hosts even said, “Did you see them standing in front of that picture? They have no shame in who they are.”

Pérez-Verdía quickly contacted the station to clarify that the video was fake. To their credit, the hosts later corrected themselves on air, but they added, “That doesn’t take away from the reality that Kamala is a Marxist.”

This is a classic tactic of disinformation — once a false narrative takes hold, even corrections don’t completely erase the doubt. People still end up thinking, “Maybe there’s something to it after all.”

The Role of Spanish-Language Media

Spanish-language media plays a critical role here. In many Latino communities, especially among older generations, these outlets are trusted sources of news and information. But when disinformation makes its way into these trusted spaces, it becomes much harder to challenge.

As we mentioned in our previous post, once misinformation gets repeated by radio hosts, community leaders, or even family members, it starts to sound credible. Even when a correction is made, the initial impression sticks. In this case, the fear that Kamala Harris might have secret communist leanings becomes part of the narrative, even though it’s based on nothing but a fake meme.

Why Latino Exiles Are Vulnerable to This Misinformation

To understand why these kinds of narratives are so effective, we need to think about the experiences of Latino exiles. For many who fled authoritarian regimes, the fear of communism is visceral. They’ve lived through food shortages, political oppression, and the collapse of their home countries under socialist or communist regimes.

Because of these experiences, any hint of far-left ideology triggers intense emotional responses. Disinformation campaigns, like the one pushing the “Comrade Kamala” meme, exploit this vulnerability. By linking a prominent Democratic figure to communism, these campaigns create doubt and erode trust, even when there’s zero factual basis for the claims.

This is why organizations like Factchequeado are so important. They’re working hard to debunk false claims circulating in Spanish-language media, but there’s still a lot of ground to cover. Unfortunately, with fewer resources dedicated to fact-checking in Spanish, misinformation has more room to spread.

How Latino Communities Can Fight Back And Why ‘Comrade Kamala’ Memes Are Spreading Among Latino Exiles

Now, let’s talk solutions. How can Latino communities protect themselves from this kind of political disinformation? Here are a few key strategies:

1. Promote Media Literacy

We need to prioritize media literacy, especially in communities vulnerable to misinformation. Workshops and educational programs that teach people how to fact-check news sources and identify disinformation can go a long way in preventing the spread of fake news.

2. Encourage Fact-Checking

Supporting fact-checking organizations like Factchequeado is essential. Community leaders and influencers can play a big role in sharing accurate information and debunking false narratives before they take off. When a misleading meme or video goes viral, having respected voices call out the falsehoods can change the conversation.

3. Engage Directly With Communities

Politicians like Kamala Harris and other leaders need to engage directly with Latino communities. By addressing concerns head-on and explaining their positions clearly, they can build trust and counteract the effects of misinformation. When people feel heard, they’re less likely to fall for misleading claims.

4. Support Spanish-Language Media

We also need to invest in Spanish-language media to ensure that they have the resources to fact-check stories and avoid spreading misinformation. The more accurate information these outlets provide, the harder it will be for false narratives to gain traction.

Conclusion: Staying Informed Is the Best Defense

The spread of the “Comrade Kamala” meme shows just how powerful and dangerous misinformation can be, especially when it plays on real fears. For many Latino exiles, the specter of communism isn’t just political rhetoric — it’s a reality they’ve lived through. And that’s exactly why false narratives like these can take hold so quickly.

But by staying informed, promoting media literacy, and supporting fact-checking initiatives, we can push back against these false claims. It’s all about arming ourselves and our communities with the truth.

For more on how misinformation is weaponized during elections, you can check out this detailed guide from Harvard’s Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy.