Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) recently assured attendees at his "Fighting Oligarchy" rally in Los Angeles that their efforts are unsettling both President Donald Trump and Elon Musk.
The 83-year-old senator, known for his socialist leanings and independent status, addressed a large gathering at Gloria Molina Grand Park, where he was joined by politicians, union representatives, and musical acts.
According to Breitbart, Sanders emphasized the significance of the rally, stating, "There are some 36,000 of you, the largest rally that we have ever had. Your presence here today is making Donald Trump and Elon Musk very nervous."
The event also featured speeches from Democrat Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and performances by artists such as folk rock icon Neil Young, who led the crowd in a chant of "Take America Back!" Singer-songwriter Maggie Rogers dubbed the gathering "Berniechella," drawing a parallel to the popular Coachella music festival.
The Vermont senator, as reported by AFP, expressed his discontent with the current administration, particularly criticizing President Trump's substantial reductions in government funding and perceived threats to healthcare and research. Sanders' remarks about Elon Musk, the owner of Tesla and X, were met with boos from the audience. Musk, a self-made billionaire, has been tasked by Trump with significantly cutting government spending, and for many Sanders supporters, he epitomizes the corrupting influence of wealth in politics.
Sanders declared, "We are living in a moment where a handful of billionaires control the economic and political life of our country." He further accused President Trump of steering the United States "rapidly toward an authoritarian form of society." The "Fighting Oligarchy" tour, primarily targeting Republican-majority areas, made an exception for the liberal stronghold of Los Angeles.
Sanders' website claims that the tour has attracted 107,981 attendees across seven states, with livestreams garnering over five million views. Upcoming stops are scheduled for later in April in California cities such as Bakersfield and Auburn, as well as Salt Lake City, Nampa, Idaho, and Missoula, Montana.
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