Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez attract massive crowds in West
Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have been attracting large crowds on their "Fighting Oligarchy" tour in the American West. Their recent rallies in Arizona and Nevada were followed by an impressive event in Denver, where 34,000 people attended, marking the largest political gathering in the city since 2008. Over five events, they estimate that 86,000 people attended in person, with over 1.5 million watching online. Sanders noted that the idea of an oligarchy has become more real for people due to the influence of billionaires like Elon Musk and the wealthy members of President Trump's cabinet. He emphasized that many now see the government as serving the rich. The rallies aim to support Democratic candidates and challenge Republican representatives in swing districts. Ocasio-Cortez criticized the GOP for focusing on culture wars instead of important issues. She called for taxation of the rich and better healthcare instead of distractions regarding issues like transgender policies. Sanders praised Ocasio-Cortez for her resilience and ability to inspire young people. He encouraged everyone that they too could make a difference. In response to Musk's claims about the protests being organized, Ocasio-Cortez fired back on social media, suggesting he come up with better conspiracy theories. After the tour, she took a moment to engage with her followers online, sharing a "timeline cleanse," a reminder to take a break from social media.