Bernie Sanders claims billionaires control American politics

In an interview set to air on April 6, 2025, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders discussed the current state of American democracy, which he characterized as a 'pseudo-democracy.' In his remarks, he criticized the significant influence of wealthy individuals, particularly entrepreneurs like Elon Musk, over the political landscape. Sanders pointed out that the U.S. political system has been compromised by the financial power of billionaires, especially following the Citizens United Supreme Court decision that removed limits on campaign spending. He noted that this has allowed billionaires to essentially 'own' the political process in ways that undermine the principle of one-person, one-vote. Sanders highlighted his concerns about the ramifications of the Trump administration's policies, which he asserts favored the wealthy at the expense of the working class. He specifically called out Trump’s reliance on billionaires to run key federal agencies and the direct effect of this on essential social programs. For example, Sanders accused Trump and Musk of targeting systems like Social Security and Medicaid. He mentioned Musk’s public dismissal of Social Security as a 'Ponzi scheme,' arguing this rhetoric harms vital assistance programs that have served the American populace for decades. Throughout the past few years, Sanders has drawn attention to growing income inequality and the increasing political influence of wealthy individuals. He made it clear that both the Republican and Democratic parties are not exempt from this trend, as there are billionaires on both sides who shape policy to protect their interests rather than the broader public. Sanders firmly believes that real democracy cannot exist while a small fraction of individuals exerts disproportionate control over political resources and decision-making. Finally, Sanders aims to unify lower and middle-class demographics to challenge the prevailing narratives pushed by these wealthy elites. He stresses the importance of increasing public awareness about how financial power skews representation, reinforcing the need for a more equitable distribution of wealth and influence in American politics. His critique of billionaires’ political engagement is a rallying cry for reform to restore the democratic roots of the United States.