Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has continuously blamed the Democratic Party establishment for being out of touch with voters in the days following President-elect Donald Trump’s re-election victory. The two-time presidential candidate took things a step further on Saturday, when he suggested that he may be endorsing independent candidates over Democrats going forward.
“The American people understand that our economic and political systems are rigged,” sanders wrote in an email to supporters. “They know that the very rich get much richer while almost everyone else becomes poorer. They know that we are moving rapidly into an oligarchic form of society.”
Sanders, whose presidential bid in 2016 was stolen after the Democratic Party “rigged” the primary in favor of Hillary Clinton, according to former Democratic National Committee Chair Donna Brazille, went on to chastise Democrats for running to preserve the “status quo” while Trump promised to “smash the existing order.”
The progressive leader went on to claim that the Republican victory will increase “inequality” and “bigoted” rhetoric before once again turning his attention to the Democratic Party, with whom he caucuses despite his “independent” registration.
“Will the Democratic leadership learn the lessons of their defeat and create a party that stands with the working class and is prepared to take on the enormously powerful special interests that dominate our economy, our media and our political life?” the email continued. He ultimately concluded that reform is unlikely and suggested that forming a new political party, or third-party candidates, is on the table.
“These are some of the political questions that, together, we need to address. And it is absolutely critical that you make your voice heard during this process,” the email concluded.
This morning’s email from @BernieSanders is not just some run-of-the-mill campaign email… pic.twitter.com/HzX5i1WoE5
— Brent Welder (@BrentWelder) November 23, 2024
A little over 24 hours after Trump’s landslide victory was set in stone, Sanders released a similar message in which he blamed the Democratic Party establishment for the defeat.
“It should come as no great surprise that a Democratic Party which has abandoned working class people would find that the working class has abandoned them,” the former presidential candidate posted on X. “While the Democratic leadership defends the status quo, the American people are angry and want change. And they’re right.”
Sanders has also pledged to work with the Trump Administration on a number of economic issues.
I look forward to working with the Trump Administration on fulfilling his promise to cap credit card interest rates at 10%.
We cannot continue to allow big banks to make record profits by ripping off Americans by charging them 25 to 30% interest rates.
That is usury.
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) November 15, 2024
