Ro Khanna Blames Wealth Inequality for Youth Protests in Europe, Pushes Back on JD Vance: ‘America’s Next New Deal’

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) said young people in France, Spain and Albania want "a future they can believe in" amid "massive wealth inequality," and called for "America’s Next New Deal."

Demands From France to Albania

In a post on X on Sunday, Khanna wrote that "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 France, students and teachers are asking for "safe schools, enough teachers and smaller classes," in Spain for "affordable rent and housing," and in Albania for "good jobs and an end to corruption."

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.

In France, students and teachers are asking for safe…

— Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) October 19, 2026

Khanna Pushes Back on Vance

Khanna said Vice President JD Vance "says this is what happens when a nation lets in too many immigrants from the global south." He said Vance "is not just morally wrong, but misreading the moment."

Khanna wrote: "This is what happens when nations let wealth and power accumulate in the hands of a few. 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."

Vance, in a post on X on Sunday, criticized the unrest in France, writing that "Western liberals imported the third world into France and other countries in the name of diversity and compassion." He added: "This is the future congressional Democrats seek for your country."

Western liberals imported the third world into France and other countries in the name of diversity and compassion. They ignored fundamental questions of assimilation and compatibility. They were told it would lead to this and they didn't listen.

I pray that France, a beautiful… https://t.co/y39o3JGlWh

— JD Vance (@JDVance) October 18, 2026

The posts come amid nationwide protests in France over rising living costs and declining public services that escalated into riots, with police making 2,400 arrests, according to French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez.

Khanna Condemns Violence, Cites ‘Unholy Alliance’

In a follow-up post, Khanna wrote, "I unequivocally condemn violence and vandalism. I have always championed my grandfather’s example of non-violent protest." He added: "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."

On Saturday, Khanna accused Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.), who opposes California’s proposed billionaire tax, of "shilling for Prop 42, a billionaire backed initiative," saying he backs the tax "so poor kids in California do not lose healthcare." Khanna also declared: "I am a New Deal Democrat, not a Chuck Schumer Democrat."

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.