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Senator Bernie Sanders made a surprise appearance at the Coachella festival in California on Saturday night. When the Vermont independent mentioned President Donald Trump, the crowd booed, and he quickly told them, “I agree,” in response.
Why It Matters
The Democrats have largely struggled to react effectively to Trump, congressional Republicans and the president’s billionaire ally Elon Musk in the wake of their defeat in last year’s election. Approval of the Democratic Party and its representatives in Congress are at record lows.
However, Sanders, alongside New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, appears to be getting through to many in the country. Thousands have turned out to attend rallies as a part of their “Fighting Oligarchy” tour, and they held their biggest ever rally in Los Angeles on April 12.
Clairo and Bernie Sanders speak onstage at Outdoor Theatre during the 2025 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at Empire Polo Club on April 12, 2025, in Indio, California. Clairo and Bernie Sanders speak onstage at Outdoor Theatre during the 2025 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at Empire Polo Club on April 12, 2025, in Indio, California. Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Coachella
What To Know
Sanders spoke at Coachella ahead of the singer Clairo’s Outdoor Theatre set at 8:15 p.m. He was introduced by Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost.
He told the crowd that the country is facing, “Some very difficult challenges, and the future of what happens to America is dependent upon your generation.”
The first mention of Trump earned a loud negative reaction from the crowd. Sanders said in response, “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 this planet.
“You can turn away, and you can ignore what goes on, but if you do that, you do it at your own peril,” Sanders said. “We need you to stand up, to fight for justice. To fight for economic justice, social justice and racial justice.”
Sanders turned his attention to Clairo shortly before she came on stage. “I’m here because Clairo has used her prominence to fight for women’s rights, to try to end the terrible, brutal war in Gaza where thousands of women and children are being killed.
“I want to thank Clairo not only for being in a great band but for the great work she’s doing.”
The 26-year-old Grammy-nominated artist has often used her platform to advocate for political issues, including women’s and LGBTQ+ rights. In October 2023, she signed the Artists4Ceasefire open letter, calling for an end to the conflict in the Middle East, to then President Joe Biden.
What People Are Saying
Bernie Sanders in a post on X, formerly Twitter: “Thank you, Coachella. I enjoyed introducing the great Clairo tonight. These are tough times. The younger generation has to help lead in the fight to combat climate change, protect women’s rights, and build an economy that works for all, not just the few.”
Clairo on X: “Clairochellaaaaan so fun. Thanks Bernie.”
What’s Next
Sanders has more events scheduled in the coming days, including stops in the conservative states of Utah, Montana and Idaho.
Though Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez are frequently floated in public polling as potential 2028 Democratic presidential contenders, at 83 years old, most analysts do not expect him to run again.