Trump manipulates markets to enrich billionaires amid trade turmoil

In the United States, 36,000 people protested Donald Trump's administration in Los Angeles on April 11, 2025, during the largest rally of Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's 'Fighting Oligarchy' tour. The rally focused on concerns regarding Trump's trade policies, specifically his tariff decisions that critics claim benefit the wealthy and large corporations while harming everyday Americans. Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez delivered passionate speeches, labeling Trump's actions as market manipulation aimed at enriching his billionaire friends. The politicians urged the audience to fight against the growing oligarchy in America, emphasizing the disparity between the wealthiest 1% and the working class 99%. Meanwhile, a recent CBS News poll indicated that a significant majority of Americans believe Trump's tariff strategy will primarily benefit the richest Americans and large corporations, with nearly half feeling that they are becoming poorer under his policies. This public sentiment could have severe implications for Republican leaders facing elections in a challenging political environment, as voters express discontent with Trump's shifting and seemingly erratic trade policies. As the protest ended, the tour continued with plans to visit various western states, aiming to rally support against oligarchic tendencies in governance and campaigning for a fairer economic system.