Politics

Bernie Sanders Agrees Democrats Are 'Threat to Democracy' on Podcast

By Jesus Mesa

Senator Bernie Sanders agreed the Democratic Party is a "threat to democracy" in a new podcast interview, accusing party leaders of rigging primaries, ignoring working-class voters, and instead relying on wealthy donors and out-of-touch consultants.

Speaking on an episode of Andrew Schulz's popular "Flagrant" podcast released Monday, Sanders agreed with co-host Akaash Singh's claim that Democrats had not held a fair primary since 2008 as Singh asked him if the party was a threat to the democratic process.

"Yes," Sanders replied. "Fair enough. That is... yeah. I'm not gonna argue with that point. And that's why I'm proudly an Independent."

The Context
The Vermont senator's criticisms aren't new. Despite caucusing with the Democrats in the Senate, Sanders has long spoken out against the influence of wealthy donors and consultants in Democratic politics. Over the past year, Sanders has repeatedly blamed high-paid political consultants for failing to connect with working-class voters and for contributing to Harris's loss in 2024.

Since February, Sanders and New York Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have been touring districts that Joe Biden won in 2020 but where Republicans won House seats in 2024. Their "Fighting Oligarchy" tour, which has been drawing huge crowds across the country, aims to address this shift.

What To Know
In the hour-and-a-half-long unscripted conversation, Sanders said the party establishment has blocked grassroots movements and sidelined candidates who challenge its leadership.

"The establishment did not want to open the door," he said, describing how his campaign events drew thousands of young and working-class people, while official Democratic Party functions were dominated by "older, whiter, wealthier" attendees.

He criticized Kamala Harris's 2024 presidential campaign for being shaped by political consultants who aligned her messaging with the Biden administration, a strategy he believes helped sink her chances.

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"I know Kamala: she's a friend and she's very smart. But that was what her bloody consultants told her to say," Sanders said. "I begged them."

Sanders, who since 2024 has been a regular guest on long-form podcasts — including some that make up the so-called manosphere on the right — addressed hard questions, including his support for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 general election after losing the Democratic primary, which podcast host Andrew Schulz called heartbreaking.

Bernie Sanders
Senator Bernie Sanders speaks with comedian and Flagrant podcast co-host Andrew Schulz during a wide-ranging interview on politics, inequality and the Democratic Party. Flagrant Podcast

"You're down to a choice. Is it going to be Hillary Clinton or is it going to be Donald Trump? Not a great choice," Sanders said. "But I'm an elected official. I can't turn my back on [the people]."

Sanders argued that both parties are controlled by billionaires and the super PACs that now dominate political campaigns in the aftermath of the Supreme Court's landmark Citizens United ruling in 2010.

"You have consultants who are really way out of touch with reality who make a whole lot of money in campaigns, and the working class is ignored," he said.

He also warned that campaign donors use super PACs to shut down dissent within both parties. "Right now, you're a Republican... You got Trump, enormously popular within the Republican base. Elon Musk has unlimited sums of money. It is very hard for any Republican to stand up and authentically speak their mind."

Sanders, who is Jewish, pointed to attacks on progressive candidates like Jamaal Bowman, the former congressman from New York, saying groups like AIPAC fund campaigns to unseat lawmakers critical of U.S. military aid to Israel. "They didn't say one word about Israel," Sanders said. "The argument was he's a bad Democrat."

He agreed that these tactics erode the public's trust in both parties. "If you are turning your back on slaughtering children in Gaza... why the hell am I gonna trust you on everything?" he asked.

Sanders said his movement is training thousands of people to run for office, many of them as independents. "They don't want a government of billionaires," he said. "They're gonna stand up to authoritarianism."

He ended the interview by calling on Americans to challenge the political system. "What the oligarchs and the ruling class want you to believe is that you're powerless," Sanders said. "And once you accept that, they win."

What People Are Saying
Sanders, speaking to the Flagrant podcast: "The Democratic establishment is funded by wealthy people. You have consultants who are really way out of touch with reality who make a whole lot of money in campaigns, and the working class is ignored."

Singh, co-host of the Flagrant podcast: "Could we not also say, ostensibly, there hasn't been a fair primary for the Democrats since 2008? Are they not also a threat to democracy?"

Schulz, co-host of the Flagrant podcast: "We talk a lot about the Republicans being autocrats and oligarchs and taking over democracy. But from the Democrat perspective... I felt like the Democratic Party completely removed the democratic process from its constituents."

What Happens Next
Sanders is scheduled for a speaking gig in London on May 30.

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