President Trump Donald John TrumpFederal prosecutor speaks out, says Barr 'has brought shame' on Justice Dept. Former Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick MORE on Tuesday decried socialism during an address to the United Nations, lambasting it as a "destroyer of societies" in comments that doubled as a swipe at some of his Democratic rivals.

“One of the most serious challenges our countries face is the specter of socialism. It’s the wrecker of nations and the destroyer of societies," Trump said during his 35-minute address to the General Assembly.

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Trump cited Venezuela as an example of the failures of socialism, describing embattled President Nicolás Maduro as a "Cuban puppet." The Trump administration has backed opposition leader Juan Guaidó but Maduro has remained in power.

"Events in Venezuela remind us all that socialism and communism are not about justice, they are not about equality, they are not about lifting up the poor and they are certainly not about the good of the nation," Trump said.

“Socialism and communism are about one thing only: Power for the ruling class," Trump continued. "Today I repeat a message to the world that I have delivered at home: America will never be a socialist country.”

As Trump spoke, cameras captured the Venezuelan delegate reading a book.

This is the diplomat that Venezuela has sitting at their placard while Trump is speaking. It looks like she's reading about Simon Bolivar?#UNGA pic.twitter.com/7GeDs8MysT — Hayes Brown (@HayesBrown) September 24, 2019

While the president's remarks were directed at Venezuela, the commentary also served as a thinly-veiled shot at some of the candidates seeking the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination.

Sens. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersSirota reacts to report of harassment, doxing by Harris supporters Republicans not immune to the malady that hobbled Democrats The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Republicans lawmakers rebuke Trump on election MORE (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenOvernight Defense: Appeals court revives House lawsuit against military funding for border wall | Dems push for limits on transferring military gear to police | Lawmakers ask for IG probe into Pentagon's use of COVID-19 funds On The Money: Half of states deplete funds for Trump's 0 unemployment expansion | EU appealing ruling in Apple tax case | House Democrats include more aid for airlines in coronavirus package Warren, Khanna request IG investigation into Pentagon's use of coronavirus funds MORE (D-Mass.), two front-runners in the race, have supported policies like "Medicare for All" and the Green New Deal that Trump and other conservatives have blasted as socialist.

The president has made railing against socialism a mainstay in his campaign addresses, seeking to make the self-described democratic socialists Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Alexandria Ocasio-CortezOn The Money: Anxious Democrats push for vote on COVID-19 aid | Pelosi, Mnuchin ready to restart talks | Weekly jobless claims increase | Senate treads close to shutdown deadline McCarthy says there will be a peaceful transition if Biden wins Anxious Democrats amp up pressure for vote on COVID-19 aid MORE (D-N.Y.) the face of the party.

Still, Trump has trailed Sanders, Warren and the more centrist former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenFormer Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick Bloomberg rolls out M ad buy to boost Biden in Florida MORE in recent polling of hypothetical 2020 match-ups.