Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., addressed recent criticism from fellow Democrat Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., regarding his use of the term “oligarchy” to describe allies of the Trump administration. Slotkin, who won a competitive Senate race in Michigan during Trump’s presidency, suggested that the party should move away from the term, claiming it doesn’t resonate outside coastal areas. Although she did not mention Sanders directly, her comments coincided with his “Fight Oligarchy” tour alongside Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, which has drawn large crowds across the country.
In a response on NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” Sanders defended his terminology, emphasizing the significant turnout at their rallies—such as 36,000 attendees in Los Angeles and 30,000 in Folsom, California. He remarked that the American populace is not as uninformed as Slotkin suggested, reiterating that when the wealthiest 1% possess more wealth than the bottom 90%, it indicates an oligarchic system. Moreover, he stressed that big money interests dominate both political parties.
The exchange comes as Democrats seek a unified direction following losses in the recent presidential election and Senate elections. Many party members acknowledge the need for a vision for the future, a point Sanders highlighted during the interview, asserting that, despite shared goals, the party lacks a coherent strategy moving forward.
Sanders has long represented progressive ideals since his 2016 presidential campaign, while Slotkin is perceived as a rising star in the party after flipping a competitive Michigan House seat and subsequently giving a prominent response to Trump’s address to Congress.
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