Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez brought their “Fighting Oligarchy” tour to downtown Los Angeles on Saturday, rallying what Sanders claimed was their largest crowd yet — an estimated 36,000 supporters gathered in front of LA City Hall.
“Your presence here today is making Donald Trump and Elon Musk very nervous,” Sanders told the cheering crowd. The 83-year-old Vermont independent, who caucuses with Democrats, said the LA stop marked a milestone in their growing movement against billionaire influence in politics.
Sanders mocked Musk’s previous claim that the crowds at their rallies were full of “paid organizers,” asking, “Anybody here being paid to come today?” The crowd responded with an emphatic “No!”
He also took a swipe at former President Donald Trump, saying Trump is “envious” of the turnout at Sanders’ events.
“Trump said, ‘Bernie has rallies of 2,000 or 3,000 people. Can’t compete with Trump.’ He lied,” Sanders declared, drawing applause.
🔥 Attacks on Wealth and Power
Both Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez have used the tour to sound the alarm on income inequality, corporate greed, and what they describe as the growing power of billionaire elites in American life. In L.A., Sanders doubled down:
“We’re living at a moment where a handful of billionaires control the economic and political life of our country,” he said. “And we have a president who has no respect for the Constitution and is moving us toward authoritarianism. Mr. Trump, we ain’t going there.”
Sanders also clapped back at Elon Musk, who recently commented online that the senator has been talking about oligarchy “year after year.”
“Well, Elon, you’re damn right,” Sanders responded. “The difference is, I’m no longer talking about how we’re moving toward oligarchy. I’m talking about how we are already living in one.”
🚍 Where the Tour Goes Next
The L.A. rally follows earlier stops in Las Vegas; Tucson and Tempe, Arizona; and several cities in Colorado. Upcoming events include appearances in Bakersfield and Folsom, California; Salt Lake City, Utah; Nampa, Idaho; and Missoula, Montana.
The Fighting Oligarchy tour continues to generate significant attention as Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez push their populist message in traditionally red and purple states — aiming to rally support among progressives, young voters, and working-class Americans ahead of 2024.