It began on February 21, 2025, in Omaha, Nebraska, with the stated goal to oppose oligarchy and the influence of billionaires and corporations in U.S. politics.[2] A segment covering the western U.S. began on March 20 in Las Vegas, Nevada.[3] 34,000 people attended a March 21 rally in Denver, Colorado, bigger than any event held by the Democratic Party at the time, and with a bigger audience than any during Sanders's two presidential campaigns. This was followed by a crowd of 36,000 in Los Angeles, California, on April 12. The tour has featured speeches, musical performances, and efforts to promote policies such as universal healthcare and wealth taxation.
Background
Sanders launched the tour after Donald Trump's reelection in November 2024, which Sanders cited as evidence of growing corporate influence in governance.[4] Joined by Ocasio-Cortez and other progressive figures, Sanders aimed to address economic inequality and political power dynamics.[5]
The tour focuses on opposition to oligarchy, characterized as a system where a small, wealthy elite holds significant sway over political and economic matters. Speakers address topics such as income disparity, corporate lobbying, and democratic integrity, advocating reforms including Medicare for All, a wealth tax, and changes to campaign finance laws.[6] The events also encourage grassroots participation in local and electoral efforts.[7] Other goals include transforming the Democratic Party to bring it closer to its "FDR-era roots" in an effort to make it more popular, and pressuring Republican lawmakers in battleground districts to reject Republican fiscal plans such as cuts to Medicaid and tax cuts for the wealthy.[5]
Tour stops
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders waving to the audience in Folsom, California, on April 15, 2025
As of April12,2025[update], the tour had drawn over 107,000 attendees across various states.[75] On March 26, Politico reported that the Fighting Oligarchy rallies were "bigger than any other events currently being held by Democrats" and that they were acting as a "revival" for progressives. Sanders said that two-thirds of those who registered to attend the events had never gone to see him or donated to him before.[5] The crowd at the Denver rally was larger than at any event during his 2016 and 2020 presidential runs.[3] These numbers contrasted with low approval ratings for the Democratic Party.[5]
The tour facilitated grassroots organizing, including volunteer recruitment and support for progressive candidates.[76] Progressives supported the tour for engaging supporters and focusing on corporate influence, while media outlets, including The New York Times, observed similarities to historical protest movements such as Occupy Wall Street.[77]
Some members of the Democratic establishment supported the rallies, including some who had previously criticized Sanders; a vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, Malcolm Kenyatta, said: "This is not left versus right. This is about flight versus fight." Kenyatta had criticized Sanders in the past.[5]
On May 7, 2025, Fox News host Bret Baier asked Sanders about an April 17, 2025, Washington Free Beacon article that said that Sanders's campaign committee had used $221,723 in expenditures in the first quarter of 2025 to charter private jets. Sanders replied that when doing multiple rallies per week, "the only way you can get around" in a timely enough manner is by chartering private jets.[78]
↑ Rampell, Ed (April 16, 2025). "AOC, Sanders, Baez, Neil Young, rock the free world at L.A. 'Bernie-chella'". People's World. Retrieved July 3, 2025. "Why music?" Sanders asked. "Because we're going to make our revolution with joy!" he said from the podium following a live rendition of his theme song, John Lennon's "Power to the People," performed by Raise Gospel Choir
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