Bernie Sanders initiates major attack on 'the oligarchy'
According to a former aide, “He likes spreading his message, and likes being adored.”
TroibNews 
Bernie Sanders, a veteran of the presidential race, is actively campaigning in Iowa and Nebraska to mobilize voters against what he refers to as “the oligarchy.” This kind of grassroots effort often hints at the potential for a presidential run, but in Sanders’ case, it seems he is more focused on helping pave the way for other progressives who may seek the nomination in 2028.
At 83 years old, Sanders has little interest in launching a third presidential bid, according to several friends and allies. They indicate that his current mission is to establish a foundation for another candidate, or candidates, who will champion progressive causes in the upcoming election cycle.
“I have no doubt that that weighs heavily on his mind,” remarked Ben Cohen, co-chair of Sanders’ 2020 campaign and co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. “I have no doubt that that is a focus of his, as it would be with anyone who's passionate about a campaign, who's passionate about particular issues, and is reaching, according to the actuarial tables, the end of their lives.”
As the Democratic Party attempts to navigate the challenges of the second Trump era, discussions about its future direction may have lasting implications. Moderates blame liberal interest groups for 2024 election losses and advocate for a shift towards the center to regain sway with swing voters. Conversely, Sanders, alongside other progressive voices and some centrists, believes the party faltered by neglecting the working class.
With the party currently devoid of strong leadership, Sanders’ remarks could resonate more significantly within Democratic circles. He remains one of the few progressives capable of capturing national attention in today’s divided media landscape.
Sanders aims to utilize his platform to energize a dispirited liberal base to oppose President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, who are perceived to be undermining the federal government, as noted by his allies.
“I think he’s trying to inspire a very strong resistance to the oligarchy,” said RoseAnn DeMoro, a longtime friend and former labor leader.
When asked if Sanders thinks the response from Democratic leaders to the current political climate is insufficient, DeMoro stated, “If the Democrats listened to Bernie, we wouldn’t be in this mess. I assume he feels a deep level of disgust.”
Additionally, Sanders appears to be honing in on a more immediate objective: influencing budgetary discussions in Congress. A Sanders aide, who requested anonymity, revealed that the senator will visit swing districts during his upcoming tour to make his voice heard.
He is scheduled to hold town halls in Omaha, Nebraska, and Iowa City, Iowa, which are represented by GOP Reps. Don Bacon and Mariannette Miller-Meeks, respectively. Notably, former President Joe Biden won Bacon’s district in 2020, and Kamala Harris followed suit in 2024.
With Republicans currently holding a slim majority in the House, Sanders is focused on making it increasingly difficult for representatives like Bacon and Miller-Meeks to support tax cuts for the wealthy while cutting public services.
Cohen recounted a recent conversation where Sanders emphasized the importance of the upcoming 2026 midterms. “I started talking about the ’28 election,” Cohen shared. “He says, ‘We got ’26 to work on.’”
This is not the first instance of Sanders visiting pivotal states to advocate for his causes. He previously campaigned in Iowa in 2021 to garner support for Biden’s legislative initiatives.
Cognizant of the media’s fixation on Iowa, Sanders is strategically positioning himself in this traditionally early caucus state, hoping to attract attention, especially as figures like Musk and Trump dominate discourse on platforms like X.
“Sen. Sanders has been a prophet for where the Democratic Party needs to go in standing up for working-class Americans and opposing the unholy alliance of wealth and power,” remarked Rep. Ro Khanna. “We need him in strategic states making the case to define the future of our party for the next 20 years.”
Regarding the aims of Sanders’ current tour, his spokesperson, Anna Bahr, stated, “It may be hard to believe, but at least one person in Washington is more interested in talking with working-class people than running for office or fundraising. Sen. Sanders is doing what he has always done: meeting people all over the country to discuss our failed health care system, housing crisis, and the wealth and income inequality that is only intensifying as Donald Trump and Elon Musk march us toward authoritarianism, oligarchy, and kleptocracy.”
A former aide, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, suggested that Sanders is “putting Dems on notice since they’re engaged in a kind of anti-politics politics” while also “trying to pave the way for someone else and make these issues the issues” for 2028.
The aide expressed concern that Sanders must be frustrated given the clear potential for a progressive to succeed in 2028 but acknowledged he may not be the one to seize the opportunity due to his age.
Another former aide added that there might be personal motivations driving Sanders’ actions. “A core tenet of Bernieism is that he likes talking to crowds,” they said. “He likes spreading his message, and likes being adored.”
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
At 83 years old, Sanders has little interest in launching a third presidential bid, according to several friends and allies. They indicate that his current mission is to establish a foundation for another candidate, or candidates, who will champion progressive causes in the upcoming election cycle.
“I have no doubt that that weighs heavily on his mind,” remarked Ben Cohen, co-chair of Sanders’ 2020 campaign and co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. “I have no doubt that that is a focus of his, as it would be with anyone who's passionate about a campaign, who's passionate about particular issues, and is reaching, according to the actuarial tables, the end of their lives.”
As the Democratic Party attempts to navigate the challenges of the second Trump era, discussions about its future direction may have lasting implications. Moderates blame liberal interest groups for 2024 election losses and advocate for a shift towards the center to regain sway with swing voters. Conversely, Sanders, alongside other progressive voices and some centrists, believes the party faltered by neglecting the working class.
With the party currently devoid of strong leadership, Sanders’ remarks could resonate more significantly within Democratic circles. He remains one of the few progressives capable of capturing national attention in today’s divided media landscape.
Sanders aims to utilize his platform to energize a dispirited liberal base to oppose President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, who are perceived to be undermining the federal government, as noted by his allies.
“I think he’s trying to inspire a very strong resistance to the oligarchy,” said RoseAnn DeMoro, a longtime friend and former labor leader.
When asked if Sanders thinks the response from Democratic leaders to the current political climate is insufficient, DeMoro stated, “If the Democrats listened to Bernie, we wouldn’t be in this mess. I assume he feels a deep level of disgust.”
Additionally, Sanders appears to be honing in on a more immediate objective: influencing budgetary discussions in Congress. A Sanders aide, who requested anonymity, revealed that the senator will visit swing districts during his upcoming tour to make his voice heard.
He is scheduled to hold town halls in Omaha, Nebraska, and Iowa City, Iowa, which are represented by GOP Reps. Don Bacon and Mariannette Miller-Meeks, respectively. Notably, former President Joe Biden won Bacon’s district in 2020, and Kamala Harris followed suit in 2024.
With Republicans currently holding a slim majority in the House, Sanders is focused on making it increasingly difficult for representatives like Bacon and Miller-Meeks to support tax cuts for the wealthy while cutting public services.
Cohen recounted a recent conversation where Sanders emphasized the importance of the upcoming 2026 midterms. “I started talking about the ’28 election,” Cohen shared. “He says, ‘We got ’26 to work on.’”
This is not the first instance of Sanders visiting pivotal states to advocate for his causes. He previously campaigned in Iowa in 2021 to garner support for Biden’s legislative initiatives.
Cognizant of the media’s fixation on Iowa, Sanders is strategically positioning himself in this traditionally early caucus state, hoping to attract attention, especially as figures like Musk and Trump dominate discourse on platforms like X.
“Sen. Sanders has been a prophet for where the Democratic Party needs to go in standing up for working-class Americans and opposing the unholy alliance of wealth and power,” remarked Rep. Ro Khanna. “We need him in strategic states making the case to define the future of our party for the next 20 years.”
Regarding the aims of Sanders’ current tour, his spokesperson, Anna Bahr, stated, “It may be hard to believe, but at least one person in Washington is more interested in talking with working-class people than running for office or fundraising. Sen. Sanders is doing what he has always done: meeting people all over the country to discuss our failed health care system, housing crisis, and the wealth and income inequality that is only intensifying as Donald Trump and Elon Musk march us toward authoritarianism, oligarchy, and kleptocracy.”
A former aide, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, suggested that Sanders is “putting Dems on notice since they’re engaged in a kind of anti-politics politics” while also “trying to pave the way for someone else and make these issues the issues” for 2028.
The aide expressed concern that Sanders must be frustrated given the clear potential for a progressive to succeed in 2028 but acknowledged he may not be the one to seize the opportunity due to his age.
Another former aide added that there might be personal motivations driving Sanders’ actions. “A core tenet of Bernieism is that he likes talking to crowds,” they said. “He likes spreading his message, and likes being adored.”
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
