Saturday, March 22, 2025

Bernie Sanders' "Fighting Oligarchy" Tour Attracts Record Crowds Across America

Bernie Sanders' nationwide "Fighting Oligarchy" tour is drawing unprecedented crowds as the 83-year-old Vermont senator positions himself as a leader of resistance against what he describes as an emerging oligarchy in America. Joined by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Sanders is attracting tens of thousands of supporters at rallies across western states, breaking attendance records even compared to his presidential campaign events.

The Tour's Purpose and Message

Sanders launched his "Fighting Oligarchy: Where We Go From Here" tour in February 2025, with the explicit aim of creating a populist resistance against President Donald Trump's second term administration and the influence of billionaires, particularly Elon Musk14. Despite the presidential campaign-like energy at these events, Sanders has repeatedly emphasized that he is not running for president again110.

"This is like presidential campaign rallies, isn't it? But I'm not running for president, and this is not a campaign," Sanders told The Associated Press. "You gotta do what you gotta do. The country's in trouble and I want to play my role."1 10

The tour strategically focuses on congressional swing districts currently held by Republicans, particularly those that President Biden won in 2020 but flipped to Republican representatives in 202418. This approach appears designed to pressure lawmakers against cuts to essential programs including housing, nutrition, and education5.

Core Message

At the heart of Sanders' message is a warning about the concentration of wealth and power in America. Throughout his rallies, Sanders has consistently criticized what he describes as an "oligarchic form of society where a handful of billionaires run the government"12.

"In previous years, when I discussed oligarchy, it may have seemed abstract to some," Sanders remarked during a conversation with NPR. "However, now it's clear that we have a government that serves the billionaires, by the billionaires, and for the billionaires."4

Both Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez have directed pointed criticism at President Trump and Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, which they claim has caused disarray through widespread contract terminations, layoffs of federal employees, and attempts to eliminate entire agencies413.

Record-Breaking Attendance

The tour has generated remarkable attendance figures across multiple states, often exceeding the crowd sizes of Sanders' past presidential campaigns41.

Recent Rally Attendance

Denver, Colorado (March 21, 2025): An estimated 30,000 people gathered at Civic Center Park, which Sanders called the largest rally he has ever held7 13
Greeley, Colorado (March 21, 2025): Over 11,000 attendees at the Bank of Colorado Arena7
Tempe, Arizona (March 20, 2025): 15,000 attendees broke Sanders' previous Arizona record of 11,300 from his 2015 presidential campaign8
Las Vegas, Nevada (March 20, 2025): Large crowds at Craig Ranch Amphitheater6 12

Earlier stops in the Midwest also attracted substantial crowds, including 9,000 people in suburban Detroit, 4,000 in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and 2,600 in Altoona, Wisconsin—a town of less than 10,000 residents10.

Sanders' communications director Anna Bahr highlighted the significance of these numbers on social media, noting that in Tempe, "Bernie Sanders' biggest crowd in Phoenix previously was 11,300 in 2015 when he was running for president. Tonight, in a non-campaign year, when he is running for nothing, 15,000 Arizonans turned out."8

Critique of Both Parties

A notable aspect of Sanders' rallies has been his willingness to criticize both political parties, including the Democrats, despite his close alignment with the party in the Senate413.

"There is today profound disgust for both political parties," Sanders told the Denver crowd, arguing that the Democratic Party also has billionaires with too much influence and insufficient support for everyday Americans13.

This sentiment resonates with many attendees. At the Denver rally, Independent voter David Sherman from Durango remarked, "We need more Bernie and less [U.S. Senate Minority Leader] Chuck [Schumer]. [Bernie] speaks for all of us. He speaks for inclusivity. He speaks for human rights across the board."13

Leadership in a Divided Opposition

Sanders has emerged as a prominent voice at a time when many Democrats are struggling to find a unified response to Trump's presidency. According to reporting, Sanders' team intentionally waited in the early weeks of Trump's second term to see if high-profile Democrats would fill the leadership void before launching the tour10.

Indivisible co-founder Ezra Levin praised Sanders for stepping up: "I wish more Democrats were traveling the country, including to red states, to rally the majority against Musk and Project 2025. Sure as hell beats (House Democratic leader Hakeem) Jeffries traveling the country for his children's book tour during a constitutional crisis."10

Who's Attending the Rallies?

The audience at Sanders' rallies appears diverse, including both long-time supporters and newcomers drawn by concerns about the current political climate10.

"I'm here because I'm afraid for our country. The last six weeks have been horrible," said Diana Schack, a 72-year-old retired lawyer who attended her first Sanders rally in Michigan. "I am becoming a more avid Bernie fan, especially in light of the work he's doing traveling around the country. These are not normal times."10

In Kenosha, Wisconsin, Amber Schulz, a 50-year-old medical worker, expressed frustration with Democratic leadership, demanding that her party "step up and do something." She added, "Bernie is the only politician I trust."10

Conclusion

As Sanders continues his "Fighting Oligarchy" tour with Ocasio-Cortez, the record-breaking attendance figures suggest his populist message continues to resonate with many Americans concerned about economic inequality and the current political direction. While explicitly not a presidential campaign, the tour demonstrates Sanders' ongoing influence in progressive politics and his ability to mobilize large crowds even at 83 years of age.

The tour continues with more scheduled stops, and Sanders' team reports they've raised $7 million from 200,000 donors since the beginning of February 202512, indicating substantial grassroots support for his message and approach.

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