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Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., a potential 2028 presidential contender, drew criticism from across the political spectrum after pointing to the riots in France as a warning about wealth inequality and urging the U.S. to “listen to our young.”
“This is what happens when the nations let wealth and power accumulate in the hands of a few,” Khanna wrote in a post to X on Sunday evening.
Khanna’s post comes on the heels of nationwide demonstrations over the cost of living and public services that descended into violence, looting and arson in several French cities on Saturday, prompting critics to accuse the progressive Democrat of giving political legitimacy to the destruction.
Spencer Pratt, former mayoral candidate for Los Angeles, blasted what he saw as an attempt to side with rioters.
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Spencer Pratt, political commentator and former mayoral candidate for LA, left, pictured alongside Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., a likely candidate for president in the Democratic Party, right. (HIGHFIVE/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images; Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
“Of course Rohit Conman sees mass communist riots destroying businesses and historic buildings in Paris and lies about it as some noble ‘ask’ for justice,” Pratt wrote.
“These commies lie as easily as they breathe.”
The comment also drew criticism from Shannon Watts, a Democratic gun activist who, in recent months, has criticized the far-left portions of her party.
“If you’re a member of Congress who condemned the January 6 insurrection, you don’t get to excuse riots in France as a ‘cry for help.’ Political violence doesn’t become acceptable just because you sympathize with people committing it,” Watts wrote in a post of her own.
Still others warned Khanna against using the moment as a way to build political momentum.
“Ro Khanna has long sought to ride the rage wave to power,” Jonathan Turley, a political commentator and legal analyst, said.
“Khanna could indeed learn much from France. This is history repeating itself. That history, by the way, does not bode well for establishment figures who pander to the mob,” Turley added, giving a nod to the infamous French Revolution that targeted the country’s political and financial elite in a bloody crusade.
Planned demonstrations in France over the weekend quickly spiraled out of control on Saturday, leaving behind broken storefronts and fires in Paris.
French authorities said that by Sunday evening they had arrested nearly 2,400 people nationwide, including 855 in the Paris region. Nearly 1,000 police officers and gendarmes were injured, seven seriously, according to France’s Interior Ministry. One protester died after suffering cardiac arrest during demonstrations in Paris, authorities said.
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Police officers stand in front of a fire in Faubourg du Temple street as clashes erupted at Place de la Republique following an unauthorised demonstration, central Paris, on October 18, 2026. (Matthieu Rondel/AFP/Getty Images)
In Limoges, a fire that authorities said was deliberately set at the city hall caused significant damage to the historic building. Shops were looted in Paris, Bordeaux, Marseille, Lyon and other cities, while public buildings were vandalized or targeted by fires.
Authorities estimated that more than 550,000 people participated in demonstrations across France. Organizers put the figure at roughly 800,000.
Despite the mayhem, Khanna argued the moment should prompt American lawmakers to take younger voters’ political demands more seriously, especially on topics of equity.
“This is what happens when young people lose hope in their future. In America, let us listen to our young. We need an economic and political transformation. America’s Next New Deal,” Khanna wrote.
“From the high schools of France to the streets of Madrid to the universities of Tirana, young people are telling their governments the same thing: in an age of massive wealth inequality, they want a future they can believe in,” Khanna wrote.
But in the face of the backlash online, Khanna quickly clarified his stance in a follow-up post, noting that he did not support the destruction that had unfolded.
“I unequivocally condemn violence and vandalism. I have always championed my grandfather’s example of non-violent protest,” Khanna wrote, referencing his relative, Amarnath Vidyalankar, who was imprisoned for advocating for India’s independence in the early 1930s.
“Let us not be blind to the anger young people have against the unholy alliance of wealth and power. The billionaires buying politicians. The corruption,” Khanna added.
But even after issuing his clarifying statement, Khanna continued to face condemnation — even from figures like former Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y.
“These are not mere students… my friend, I regret to inform you, this is an invasion,” Santos wrote, referring to France’s high intake of refugees in recent years.
Khanna, responding to Santos, doubled down on his view.
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Pedestrians walk along a street covered in debris a day after nationwide protests against the “high cost of living”, in Marseille on October 18, 2026. (Thibaud Moritz/AFP/Getty Images)
“George, is the lesson not to tackle the vast disparity here and young people’s hopelessness?” he asked.
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Khanna’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Fox News Digital.
Bradford Benz contributed to this report