Sen. John Kennedy Mocks Democratic Socialists as ‘Lulu Lenins,’ Says Kamala Harris Is ‘No Longer Relevant’

Sen. John Kennedy unveiled a biting new nickname for members of the Democratic Socialists of America while dismissing former Vice President Kamala Harris’ efforts to rebuild her political standing ahead of a possible 2028 presidential campaign.

The Louisiana Republican referred to democratic socialists as “Lulu Lenins” during an appearance with Sean Hannity, combining the upscale athletic apparel brand Lululemon with Vladimir Lenin, the communist revolutionary who founded the Soviet Union.

Kennedy delivered the jab while discussing Harris’ increasingly visible return to national politics. Harris has been strengthening relationships with progressives as she considers another run for the White House following her defeat to President Trump in 2024.

“No disrespect, but Vice President Harris is no longer relevant,” Kennedy said. “She had her shot and she missed.” He added that Harris could cozy up to the “Lulu Lenins” all she wanted, but said he had little interest in what she thinks.

Kennedy’s remark quickly gained attention online, with conservatives praising the Louisiana senator for finding another colorful way to ridicule the socialist wing of the Democratic Party. Even some self-described DSA supporters acknowledged that the nickname was catchy.

Harris has recently been reaching out to prominent figures on the Democratic left. Among them is New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, one of the country’s most prominent democratic socialists, with whom Harris recently held an extended private phone conversation.

The former vice president has also been stepping back into the political spotlight after maintaining a relatively low profile following the 2024 election. She has said she is considering another presidential campaign and has begun speaking more aggressively about the direction Democrats should take against Trump and Republicans.

Kennedy argued that Harris already had her opportunity to convince American voters and failed. Trump defeated Harris in 2024, returning to the White House after she took over the Democratic ticket following Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race.

The “Lulu Lenins” line is only Kennedy’s latest memorable attack on socialism. The senator has repeatedly used humor and colorful comparisons to argue that socialist policies have failed around the world and should not be embraced by the United States.

With democratic socialists gaining influence in several Democratic primaries and Harris considering another presidential campaign, Kennedy is making clear how Republicans intend to frame the party’s progressive movement. His latest nickname casts the modern socialist left as an affluent American version of an ideology Republicans argue has repeatedly failed elsewhere.