Thousands attend Sen. Bernie Sanders ‘Fighting Oligarchy’ rally in Salt Lake

SALT LAKE CITY — Thousands gathered at the University of Utah’s Jon M. Huntsman Center for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’ ‘Fighting Oligarchy’ tour.

His appearance was the latest stop on the ‘Fighting Oligarchy’ tour, a set of rallies criticizing the involvement of the ultra-rich in the Trump administration. It was designed to target areas that had conservative majorities in previous elections. 

Oligarchy is a form of government that gives power to a small group of people. 

To the roar of crowds, Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-New York took the stage. They highlighted key issues in the U.S., including economic inequality, race and gender injustice, and corrupt politics. 

Speeches aim at oligarchy, social issues

During his speech, Sanders challenged the Trump administration’s actions on a variety of topics, from abortion to foreign relations. 

According to Sanders, the U.S. government has become controlled by a few wealthy individuals. He referenced  President Trump’s Jan. 2025 inauguration, when Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg — the three richest men in America, sat in VIP seats as Trump took the oath of office.

“If that is not enough to make you understand that we live in an oligarchy, right behind them were 13 other billionaires that Trump had nominated to head up federal agencies,” Sanders said. 

Caroline Gleich, a Utah professional athlete and former candidate for U.S. Senate, spoke earlier in the evening. She noted that 100 wealthy families contributed $2.6 billion to the 2024 election. 

“We do not want a government of the billionaire class by the billionaire class for the billionaire class,” Sanders said. “We want a government that represents all of us … not just the one richest guy running all over Washington D.C. throwing tens of thousands of dedicated federal workers out on the street.” 

Sanders noted the thousands of job cuts made by the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency. After his inauguration, Trump appointed Musk to oversee the department. 

He also referenced proposed cuts to social security and USAID. NPR reported that the proposed cuts could make it more difficult for recipients to access their benefits. 

“Corruption exists in the Democratic party, too,” Sanders said, aiming at corrupt politics, regardless of party. “There is a reason why, for too many years and for too many candidates, Democrats have not had the guts to take on powerful special interests.” 

Inaction on both sides has led to systemic issues, such as economic inequality. 

“All across this country, we are going to need people to go outside their comfort zone,” Sanders, a Vermont independent, said. 

‘Fighting Oligarchy’ tour highlights Utah voices

Before Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez spoke, Utah voices were highlighted. 

“Oligarchs are at war with people who work for a living,” said Benjamin Jolley, a pharmacist at locally-owned Jolley’s Compounding Pharmacy. 

He explained that he recently billed CVS Caremark, a nationally operating prescription benefit manager, for a customer’s medications. 

“They said, we’ll pay you 35 cents,” Jolley said. “And then they said, we’ll take back 30 cents for our processing fee.” 

During Gleich’s speech, she addressed her motives for pursuing office during the 2024 election, during which she campaigned heavily on climate and economic equality issues. She recounted times in her life when she juggled multiple jobs and worried an injury or illness might cost her a role — relating to the situations of millions of Americans. 

“That’s not freedom. That is not the American dream that we were promised. The real American dream is simple. If you work hard, you should be able to breathe clean air,” Gleich said. 

Speakers encourage action

“We are living in the most dangerous moment in the modern history of this country … We are living in a moment where a handful of billionaires control our government,” Sanders said. “We need a mass movement of millions of people.” 

Gleich urged attendees to sign a referendum to overturn H.B. 267, a bill that would prevent public employees from participating in collective bargaining. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox’s Feb. signing of the bill was controversial. 

“We are at a crossroads in America. We can either have extreme and growing wealth inequality with the toxic division and corruption that it requires to survive, or we can have a fair economy for working people along democracy and freedoms that uphold,” Ocasio-Cortez said.