Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-VT, made a strong call for the Democratic Party to realign its priorities during an appearance on “The View.” He argued that the party’s recent struggles to connect with working-class voters have contributed to the rise of Donald Trump. Sanders accused the Democrats of failing to offer clear, actionable solutions on issues like healthcare, childcare, and affordable housing, which he claims are the primary concerns of the working class.
“I think the Democratic Party has got to make a very fundamental decision, okay?” Sanders stated, highlighting that Trump’s appeal among working-class voters is not due to tax cuts for billionaires or healthcare cuts, but rather due to a lack of clear Democratic positions. He emphasized that the party’s commitment to the working class has been eroded, and that Democrats must once again stand firmly on the side of working-class Americans. “We need the Democratic Party to say to the billionaire friends, thank you, and their corporate sponsor, thank you. We’re going to stand with the working class of this country,” he said.
Sanders also criticized the influence of wealthy donors on the Democratic Party’s agenda, warning that this has led to a disconnect with everyday Americans. He called for a return to grassroots activism, stating that the party must prioritize the needs of ordinary citizens over the interests of corporate entities. In addition, Sanders praised the “No Kings” protests, which he said were a significant demonstration of public opposition to Trump’s policies. “This was taking place not only in large cities, but in small towns all over America. I think it was something like 26,000 different rallies. And more people came out to say no to Trumpism than in any single day in the history of America and we should all be very proud,” he said.