Latest news with #Oligarchy
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bernie Sanders urges Democrats not to work with ‘right-wing extremist' Musk after Trump fallout
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., ruled out the idea that Democrats should work with Elon Musk after his explosive falling out with President Donald Trump, labeling the Tesla CEO a "right-wing extremist." Musk said that he "strongly supported Obama" but felt that the modern Democratic Party had been "hijacked by extremists" in an April 2022 post on X. "Musk has evolved over the years. My understanding is he actually voted for Obama in 2008. But over the years, he has developed into a right-wing extremist," Sanders told CNN "State of the Union" host Dana Bash after she asked if Democrats should work with the tech billionaire after his "breakup" with Trump. Timeline: Inside The Evolving Relationship Between Trump And Musk From First Term To This Week's Fallout Sanders dismissed the idea out of hand and said Trump and Musk's drama was further proof that the United States was devolving into an oligarchic society. The self-proclaimed democratic socialist dismissed the episode as a fight among oligarchs, and slammed it as an "embarrassment" to people who believe in democracy and the rule of law. "Musk said to Trump, 'hey listen, I spent $270 million to get you elected. I bought you the presidency because we have a corrupt campaign finance system and billionaires can do that.' And Trump said, 'well, I gave you the right to run the government for three or four months, but I don't like the guy you want to run NASA, and we're going to get rid of him' and Musk got upset," Sanders said. Read On The Fox News App Musk endorsed Trump after he survived his assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, and subsequently served as one of his top surrogates and spent hundreds of millions of dollars to get him elected. Trump selected Musk to serve as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and tasked him with cutting waste, fraud and abuse from the federal bureaucracy. Musk's tenure at DOGE was tumultuous. Although he found billions of dollars in spending cuts, his reductions in federal outlays fell far short of the trillion dollars he promised. Backlash to Musk's work within the administration caused his businesses to suffer. Click Here For More Coverage Of Media And Culture Trump and Musk's relationship took a turn for the worse after the president withdrew Musk-ally Jared Isaacman's nomination to lead NASA. Musk proceeded to trash the "big beautiful bill" Trump is trying to get through Congress, claiming Trump only won because he donated $270 million to aid his campaign and alleging, without proof, that the president is featured in the so-called Epstein files in an X post he subsequently deleted. Trump warned that Musk will have to face "very serious consequences" if he funds Democratic candidates as a result of their rupture. When asked by Bash if he feels that Musk is correct in claiming that Trump only won because of Musk's money, Sanders responded article source: Bernie Sanders urges Democrats not to work with 'right-wing extremist' Musk after Trump fallout
The Independent
06-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
AOC takes victory lap as Trump-Elon nuclear breakup confirms everything she and Bernie Sanders warned
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York told The Independent that President Donald Trump and Elon Musk's feud confirmed what she and Sen. Bernie Sanders have warned about ultra-wealthy Americans. 'I mean, it was a long time coming,' said the progressive firebrand, who is better known to many Americans simply by her initials, AOC. The self-described democratic socialist congresswoman has spent much of the last few months traveling with Sanders, an independent socialist from Vermont by way of Brooklyn. The two have spent much of the first few months of Trump's second presidency traveling the country as part of their 'Fighting Oligarchy Tour.' 'I don't think that the whole state of the country should be with two should be concentrated in two guys with massive egos that are fighting with each other,' she said. On Thursday, Musk, who enthusiastically endorsed Trump and bankrolled his campaign in 2024, went ballistic on the president, ultimately saying that Trump was ' in the Epstein files,' which explained why they had not been released. Musk then ramped up the rhetoric even more by supporting his impeachment. This came after Musk credited himself with Trump's victory. 'Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate,' Musk posted on X. 'Such ingratitude.' The feud kicked off in earnest on Tuesday, when Musk called the 'One Big, Beautiful Bill,' which the House of Representatives passed last month, an ' outrageous, pork-filled, disgusting abomination.' Musk's words caused a headache for Republicans in the Senate, who hope to pass their own version of the legislation, which seeks to extend the tax cuts Trump signed in his first presidency, would ramp up spending on the US-Mexico border for immigration enforcement and slash spending for social services. Other Democrats like Rep. Sarah McBride of Delaware called the feud the 'big, beautiful breakup.' The fight between the world's richest man and the most powerful leader in the world flooded the internet with memes. The intra-personal feud between the two is a sharp turn from when the Tesla CEO and X owner billed himself as the 'First Buddy' who led the Department of Government Efficiency and regularly made the trek across Pennsylvania Avenue to meet with lawmakers whenever they feared services their constituents used would be subjected to his ' Chainsaw of Bureaucracy.' In recent months, Ocasio-Cortez has become a major player in the House Democratic caucus. Despite losing her bid to become the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, she joined the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee, which not only handles energy policies like health care. One recent poll showed Ocasio-Cortez to be more popular than either the president or Kamala Harris, the 2024 Democratic nominee for president. Others have suggested that she either stage a primary challenge or succeed Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
Newsweek
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Gavin Newsom's 2028 Hopes Dim According to New Poll
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. California Governor Gavin Newsom's 2028 White House took a hit this week. A new poll, conducted by co/efficient between May 7 and May 9 among 1,462 likely voters, found that just 2 percent of voters see Newsom as the face of the Democratic Party. The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.3 percentage points. Newsweek has contacted Newsom's office for comment via email. Why It Matters Newsom has not said whether he plans to run for the White House, but has long been rumored to be considering a 2028 bid. But Newsom's ability to position himself as a unifying or compelling figure for the post-Trump era could be called into question. Following election losses across the board in 2024, the Democratic Party has gone through infighting and struggled to unify around a clear successor at the top leading for some calls to rally behind a new generation of leadership. California Governor Gavin Newsom presents his revised 2025-2026 state budget during a news conference in Sacramento, California, on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. California Governor Gavin Newsom presents his revised 2025-2026 state budget during a news conference in Sacramento, California, on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. Rich Pedroncelli/AP What To Know According to the survey, New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tops the list as the face of the Democratic Party, with 26 percent choosing the progressive firebrand. That result is tied with the 26 percent who said "no one" holds the title as the party's face. Ocasio-Cortez has not formally announced a presidential bid for 2028, however a number of recent moves and statements have raised eyebrows on what she has in store for her future. The New York progressive has been actively engaging in national politics, notably through her "Fighting Oligarchy" tour alongside Independent Senator Bernie Sanders, drawing significant attention and large crowds. She also released a campaign-style video featuring the slogan "We are one," further fueling speculation about her future ambitions. When questioned about a potential 2028 presidential run, Ocasio-Cortez did not provide a definitive answer. Instead, she emphasized her current focus on pressing issues such as protecting Medicaid and safeguarding civil liberties, stating, "This moment isn't about campaigns or elections or about politics. It's about making sure people are protected," she told Fox News. Meanwhile, pollster Nate Silver, who publishes the online newsletter The Silver Bulletin, recently identified Ocasio-Cortez as the most likely Democratic candidate to lead the party's 2028 presidential ticket, citing her broad appeal and strong support within the party. Ocasio-Cortez was followed by Sanders who came in a distant second with 12 percent, while former Vice President Kamala Harris, the 2024 White House candidate once considered a leading Democratic voice, garnered just 6 percent. Other high-profile figures like, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg (5 percent), and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (5 percent) failed to crack double digits, reflecting a fractured political landscape in which no single figure commands widespread recognition or loyalty. Additionally, 22 percent of respondents chose "Other," further emphasizing the absence of a unifying figure capable of rallying the party's diverse coalition. In such an uncertain political climate, Newsom has attempted to increase his public visibility, launching a podcast featuring conversations with conservative figures like Charlie Kirk and Steve Bannon, signaling an attempt to broaden his appeal beyond traditional Democratic bases. He also announced that he would sue the Trump administration over the so-called "Liberation Day" tariffs, which ignited stock market volatility. In a recent interview, Newsom expressed ambivalence about a presidential bid, telling the Los Angeles Times: "I have to have a burning why, and I have to have a compelling vision that distinguishes myself from anybody else. Without that, without both...I don't deserve to even be in the conversation." Other polls have also shown little appetite for a 2028 bid from Newsom. An Emerson College Polling/Inside California Politics/The Hill survey, conducted between April 12 and April 14, 2025, among 1,000 California registered voters, found that 59 percent of respondents said they don't think that Newsom should run for president in 2028, with 41 percent supporting a bid for the Oval Office. In November, Newsom had +550 odds of becoming the next president, according to SportsBettingDime, which amounts to a 15 percent chance. What People Are Saying Democratic Representative Jimmy Gomez of California to Spectrum News in April: "He's doing what I think is in the interest of Gavin Newsom and not necessarily in the entire party. We have to organize in our districts and then go to the districts in the areas of the country that we need to win over; that means door to door, text message, phone calls and have those conversations. I just don't think his strategy is necessarily about changing public perception. It's about honestly helping position Gavin to run." What Happens Next Newsom is term limited as governor and will leave office after the 2026 statewide election. There has been speculation that Harris—a former U.S. Senator and state Attorney General from California—could potentially run for the governor's mansion if she skips a second run for the White House. The Democratic Primary to challenge for the White House in 2028 is likely to be a crowded field. In 2020, the last time Democrats had an open primary, more than a dozen Democrats launched White House bids.
Politico
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Bernie Sanders partners with Run for Something to train candidates
Bernie Sanders, who has been calling for progressives to run for office on his 'Fighting Oligarchy' tour, is putting more organizational muscle behind his appeal. The Vermont senator is teaming up with the liberal group Run for Something and other outside organizations to provide support to potential candidates, according to plans shared first with POLITICO. The effort, if successful, could help push the party at least incrementally in Sanders' direction. And it is almost certain to draw the ire of some Democrats, as Sanders and some of his allies help both Democrats and independents run for office. More than 5,000 people have signed up with Sanders' operation to explore campaigns, his team said. 'We want to make sure that we're not just going into these spaces and holding rallies and disappearing, and we're not just asking people to run for office,' said Jeremy Slevin, a top Sanders adviser. 'We're giving them the tools they need to actually do it.' Sanders has long encouraged people to run for office, but some progressives in his orbit have complained in the past that he hasn't done enough to prepare those in his movement for a post-Sanders future. Sanders, who is 83, appears to be attempting to burnish that part of his legacy, including by touring the country recently with younger progressives and populists such as Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.). 'It is really exciting to see Bernie model bringing in a new generation of leaders for all other older Democrats,' said Amanda Litman, president of Run for Something. She argued that 'it is not enough to just be at the front — you got to build power that sticks behind you.' Sanders sent an email to his supporters recruiting candidates and held a Zoom call with people who are eyeing a run. Potential contenders 40 and under are being connected with Run for Something, which focuses on younger candidates, while others are working with the organizations Contest Every Race and National Democratic Training Committee, Sanders' team said. Slevin said the groups will provide candidates 'with resources and trainings of how to file, how to hire a staff, how to set fundraising deadlines and comms goals — basically, how to run a campaign.' Sanders has openly encouraged both Democrats and left-leaning independents to run for office, and a questionnaire from his team asked potential candidates which of the two they consider themselves. Litman said that all candidates in her organization's pipeline, regardless of party, have access to resources. Run for Something currently endorses Democratic candidates only. But she said that the group is weighing changing that to include independents, as a growing number of Democrats and liberal strategists consider whether shedding the party label could help some candidates in battleground and red states. 'We're considering it because there's certainly some places where it might be a more valuable way to move forward,' said Litman. 'I actually don't know where we'll land.'
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
AOC heckled by hysterical protester shouting about Gaza ‘genocide' at NYC town hall: ‘Shame on you'
All hell broke loose at a town hall hosted by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Friday, when the far-left 'Squad' member was heckled by a protester for failing to stop the 'genocide in Gaza' — who was immediately met with a torrent of boos and hisses. The speculated 2028 presidential candidate was holding a constituent event in Jackson Heights, Queens, when it devolved into chaos after an anti-Israel demonstrator harangued the lawmaker from New York's 14th Congressional District over the war in Israel. 'I am a health care worker, and I want to know what you're doing about the genocide in Gaza,' a female disrupter shouted as AOC spoke on stage, video showed. That declaration set off the crowd, which booed loudly as the woman continued to point and scream at Ocasio-Cortez, who was unable to control the quickly escalating situation. 'I'm a nurse! Shame on you!' the agitator yelled at AOC from her seat. 'Shame on you, you're a liar. You're a liar!' Attendees continued to drown out the disruptive nurse with one loudly shouting, 'Shame! Shame! Shame!' while others yelled indecipherable counterarguments to the pro-Palestinian attendee as she was corralled by security and staffers. 'You're a war criminal! War criminal! War criminal!' she yelled on the way out of the auditorium, adding, 'Shame on you, I used to support you!' After a semblance of order was restored, Ocasio-Cortez responded to the provocative outburst. 'I more than welcome people who disagree, or are super pissed off at me for any issue to come, but we have some ground rules here,' she said. 'Please wait for the Q&A because we don't want to deprive all of our neighbors of the ability to have information and hearing them to respond to it,' the three-term congresswoman said, adding, 'We need to be able to have this conversation.' Friday's abrasive town hall was a far cry from the reception AOC received around the country as she recently toured with Senator Bernie Sanders on their 'Fighting Oligarchy' tour. In the wake of that nationwide engagement, Ocasio-Cortez raised $9.6 million from 266,000 individual donors with an average contribution of just $21, Fox News reported. 'I cannot convey enough how grateful I am to the millions of people supporting us with your time, resources, and energy. Your support has allowed us to rally people together at a record scale to organize their communities,' AOC wrote on X. Political forecaster Nate Silver of FiveThirtyEight predicted AOC will run away with the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028, according to Fox News. 'President AOC, the stuff of nightmares,' Vice President JD Vance told Fox News' 'Special Report' host Bret Baier Friday when asked about the possibility of a Vance vs. Ocasio-Cortez matchup in the 2028 presidential election. 'You've ruined my sleep for the evening.'
