Sen. Bernie Sanders sharply criticized the Democratic Party’s establishment, accusing its leadership of being “way, way out of touch” with everyday Americans and arguing that disconnect is helping socialist candidates gain ground in Democratic primaries.
The Vermont independent made the comments during an appearance on the MeidasTouch podcast “On Sunday,” after host Jack Cocchiarella asked whether he agreed with the view that democratic socialists — described in the question as supporting open borders and abolishing prisons — should not be registered as Democrats.
“Well, maybe the converse is true,” Sanders responded. “Maybe the Democratic establishment should begin to understand they are way, way out of touch with where the American people are. That we don’t need a party anymore which is dominated by wealthy campaign contributors.”
“Yes!” Cocchiarella replied.
Sanders then turned his criticism toward what he described as the Democratic Party’s dependence on billionaire donors, saying the “donor class” has too much influence over who runs for major offices. “You know, the donor class said ‘you or you should be the candidate for the Senate’… ‘You should be running for the president of the United States.’ I don’t think that’s where the American people are,” he said.
RELATED: What Happened To Dr John Hamilton? – Where Is He Now? Susan Hamilton Murder Obituary
The senator argued that Democrats should instead refocus their agenda around working-class voters and communities often left out of political power. “I think what the Democratic Party should become is a party of working people, of young people, of people of color, of people who understand what it’s like to struggle, who are prepared to take on the oligarchs, who want to see an economy that works for all, not just the few,” Sanders said.
He added that the party must confront what he called “simple questions” facing the country, pointing to education, healthcare, climate change and the regulation of artificial intelligence as major issues demanding attention.
“Those aren’t radical questions,” Sanders said. “Those are the questions on the minds of working people, and if the Democratic leadership can’t ask those questions, because they are busy getting campaign contributions from the very billionaire class, we will see where the Democratic party goes. But I think the future is with us.”
His full-throated defense of democratic socialists follows recent New York City primary wins by Darializa Avila Chevalier and Claire Valdez – both of whom were backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani – against more established political rivals.
Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) members Adam Bojak and Maurice Brown also won their primary races for state Assembly seats in western Buffalo and Syracuse, respectively.
In a recent interview with Fox News host Shannon Bream, Megan Romer, co-chair of the DSA, responded with an unabashed “Yes!” when asked if democratic socialists want to eliminate the Senate, replace the Supreme Court, defund the Pentagon, open the borders, abolish prisons and seize public companies.
Trump has repeatedly bashed the rise of the DSA, congratulating Mamdani after the primary elections for his support of “solid Communists” and warning that “With communism, everything turns to s–t!”
