America often prides itself on being a country rooted in democracy and pluralism, yet there have always been groups that reject mainstream political beliefs. Among them are communists, a group that remains relatively uncommon in modern U.S. politics. In many cases, people with communist views choose to keep those beliefs private, partly because communists in the United States are frequently stigmatized or viewed with suspicion. Recently, however, one organization chose a far more public approach. A group calling itself the American Communist Party announced that it had opened a gym in Orlando, Florida.
According to the group, the Florida gym is intended to serve multiple purposes. Members of the organization said the project is meant to expand their outreach while also providing physical training and a steady source of income. They stated that the gym’s revenue would help fund community initiatives, including “our food sovereignty programs like the People’s Free Kitchen and the People’s Freedom Farm.” Promotional videos shared online show communists in Florida participating in grappling exercises, conditioning drills, and group workouts. In interviews, members explained that the Florida gym allows communists to build strength together while fostering a sense of mutual support.
Several participants said the gym also serves a practical purpose. They claimed that self-defense training was important in case communists in Florida were ever targeted or attacked because of their political beliefs. In their view, physical preparedness and political education go hand in hand, particularly in a state like Florida, where communists believe their ideology places them at odds with dominant political culture.
While the idea of a community gym might appear harmless on its surface, the reaction online was far from universally positive. Many Reddit users who saw the announcement expressed discomfort or outright criticism. “It looks kind of cultish. And whatever your politics, cults are bad,” one user wrote. Others focused on the imagery inside the Florida gym, noting that one of the flags displayed appeared to be from North Korea. “Hanging up the North Korean flag is definitely the decision of all time,” another commenter said, questioning whether the communists in Florida were endorsing the North Korean government and its leadership, which is widely criticized for human rights abuses and widespread poverty.
Some critics went further, warning people to avoid the American Communist Party altogether. One commenter claimed the group had ties to pro-Trump or MAGA-aligned figures, a combination they found contradictory and concerning. “This is the American Communist Party. They’re a MAGA communist group that supports Donald Trump and was founded by online grifters,” the user wrote. They went on to suggest alternative organizations in Florida for those interested in leftist or communist spaces, mentioning local groups and venues they viewed as more credible and community-focused.
Safety concerns also emerged in the discussion. Several users said they were uneasy about the lack of visible professional credentials associated with the Florida gym. “I just checked out their website and didn’t see anything about instructors, accreditation, or affiliations with any martial arts schools,” one person commented.“I would be very concerned going to a gym like this. It’s easy to get hurt without proper technique.”
