Bernie Sanders Rallies Against Trump, Musk At Coachella: 'Economy That Is Working Very Well For The Billionaire Class'

Benzinga · 4d ago

Music fans who attended the 2025 Coachella festival enjoyed headline acts like Lady Gaga, Green Day, Post Malone, Charli XCX and Travis Scott. They were also treated to a surprise appearance and short political rally from Senator Bernie Sanders.

What Happened: Sanders (I-Vt.), who has spoken out against President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk plenty of times, took the stage briefly Saturday night for an unannounced appearance.

"The future of what happens in America is dependent on your generation," Sanders told the Coachella audience, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

Sanders was invited to the California festival to introduce singer-songwriter Clairo. The senator praised Clairo for her activism during his introduction after he was introduced to the crowd by Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.), who is the first Gen Z member of Congress.

"I'm here because Clairo has used her prominence to fight for women's rights, to try to end the brutal war in Gaza, where thousands of women and children are being killed," Sanders said.

The Senator encouraged the crowd, which typically skews younger, to stand up to the billionaires, fossil fuel industry, states that are ending abortion rights and "greedy insurance companies."

Sanders mention of Trump during his speech led to a series of boos from the crowd.

"I agree! He thinks that climate change is a hoax. He is dangerously wrong and you and I are going to have to stand up to the fossil fuel industry and tell them to stop destroying the planet."

The Senator said Trump's administration has worked to dismantle climate efforts and make cuts to staff at environmental agencies.

"You can turn away and you can ignore what goes on, but if you do that, you do it at your own peril. We need you to stand up to fight for justice. To fight for economic justice, social justice and racial justice."

Speaking about Tesla CEO Musk, Sanders said the billionaire has taken over the American political system to make things better for the rich.

"We have an economy that is working very well for the billionaire class, but not for working families," Sanders said.

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Why It's Important: Sanders was positively received by the younger crowd, which could mark a rally cry against Trump and Musk in future midterm elections and voter issues they can control.

Clairo will take part in the second weekend of Coachella, scheduled for April 18 to April 20. It is unknown if Sanders will make another appearance to introduce her.

The Senator also spoke at a Los Angeles rally earlier Saturday on his "Fighting Oligarchy" tour alongside Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.). Around 36,000 people attended the Los Angeles rally, which also featured musicians Neil Young and Joan Baez, according to the report.

Sanders, who ran for president in 2016 and 2020, remains well-liked by voters. A recent Morning Consult poll found Sanders to have a 69% approval rating, ranking him as the most popular senator in the country for a third straight quarter.

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