Sanders is extremely bitter these days. He knows the Left is floundering.
And Bernie Sanders was caught on a hot-mic saying the most disgusting thing about the Trump admin.
Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez took the stage at a “Fight The Oligarchy” rally in Nampa, Idaho, on Monday night, delivering a blistering critique of wealth concentration and its impact on American democracy.
The event, charged with energy, saw the two lawmakers call out President Donald Trump and Elon Musk by name, accusing them of prioritizing the interests of their affluent allies over the needs of everyday citizens.
Mischaracterizing Success
Sanders, the Vermont independent, fired up the crowd by comparing Trump, Musk and wealthy entrepreneurs to “heroin addicts” consumed by “greed.” Conservatives counter that this vilifies ambition and innovation, core drivers of economic growth. They argue that figures like Musk, Bezos, and Zuckerberg—singled out by Sanders—have created jobs and technologies that benefit millions, not just themselves.
“I used to talk about oligarchy. And people say, What is he talking about? Everybody knows what I’m talking about tonight. When Trump got inaugurated, sitting right behind them were the three wealthiest people in this country: Musk, Bezos and Zuckerberg,” Sanders told the Idaho audience.
To conservatives, this moment wasn’t a sign of elite conspiracy but a celebration of achievement, with these entrepreneurs attending a historic event like any citizen.
Sanders pressed his point, claiming, “Well, these guys, these oligarchs, have a major, major addiction problem. And you know what it is? It is greed. They’re like heroin addicts. They can’t control themselves. They need more and more, and they do not care who they step over in order to get another billion dollars. So we are going to take care of their addiction problems.”
A Flawed View of Power
AOC, the progressive New York congresswoman, doubled down, framing Trump’s inauguration as evidence of billionaire dominance. She pointed to Musk, Bezos, and Zuckerberg’s presence, while Sanders noted “13 other billionaires who Trump had nominated” for cabinet roles. For conservatives, this is less about “oligarchy” and more about a president tapping experienced leaders who’ve proven their mettle in the private sector.
“Understand that all of this right now is what it feels like to be governed by billionaires. This is what oligarchy feels like,” AOC declared. “This concentration of power, greed and corruption is oligarchy. It’s oligarchy in America, and we must acknowledge the terrifying moment that we are in right now.”
Rallying for the Wrong Cause
Both lawmakers urged the crowd to resist what they see as elite overreach, with AOC casting everyday people as democracy’s defenders.
“It will never be just institutions and politicians and officials alone that uphold our democracy. It will always be the people, the masses, who refuse to comply with authoritarian regimes, who are the last and strongest defense of our country and our freedoms. It is you. It is you Idaho,” she said.
AOC’s closing call—”We are here today because we choose democracy, we choose freedom, we choose justice. And that means we must choose to out-organize the oligarchy. We must do away with the power of big money”—strikes conservatives as a push for socialism over sound governance.
A Better Path Forward
For conservatives, the Nampa rally highlighted a fundamental divide. While Sanders and AOC decry wealth as a danger, conservatives champion it as a byproduct of ingenuity and hard work.
They argue that reducing government interference, not demonizing success, will empower Idahoans and Americans alike. As the crowd left, conservatives hope the message of liberty and opportunity will ultimately resonate louder than calls to dismantle what makes America thrive.
Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.
