Bernie Sanders Slams Trump’s Tariffs, Oligarchy, and Authoritarian Drift in CNN Town Hall

At a fiery CNN town hall moderated by Anderson Cooper, Sen. Bernie Sanders delivered a wide-ranging critique of former President Donald Trump’s economic and political agenda—condemning trade wars, billionaire influence, and what he views as growing threats to American democracy.

Speaking with characteristic urgency and passion, the Vermont senator, now 83, painted a picture of a nation at a crossroads—one that must choose between unity and division, democracy and authoritarianism, oligarchy and fairness.

Here are four key takeaways from Sanders’ latest remarks:

Although Sanders has long criticized free trade deals and supports selective tariffs to protect American jobs, he slammed Trump’s tariff strategy as reckless and harmful.

“To arbitrarily, out of nowhere, come up with a tariff… is absolutely counterproductive,” Sanders said.

He cited the disastrous impact past trade deals had on working communities and warned that Trump’s tactics—like the newly raised 125% tariffs on Chinese goods—would lead to higher prices and hurt everyday Americans.

When asked if Apple iPhones could realistically be made in the U.S., Sanders was unsure, but made one thing clear: Trump’s policies risk real damage to working families.

Sanders did not mince words when discussing Trump’s threat to democracy.

He accused the former president of attempting to consolidate power—through lawsuits against media outlets, threats to universities, attacks on judges, and a flirtation with unconstitutional ideas like a third presidential term.

“Do we remain a free society?” Sanders asked. “Or do we all bow down to our new king, President Trump?”

He urged Americans of all political stripes to wake up to what he sees as the slow erosion of democratic norms.

Throughout the town hall, Sanders repeatedly singled out Elon Musk as a symbol of rising oligarchy and billionaire overreach in American politics.

Referencing Musk’s push to downsize federal departments and fund political candidates, Sanders warned that unchecked wealth and technological control threaten both public workers and private-sector jobs.

“If Musk can do this to federal employees… what do you think he’ll do when AI and robotics come for your job?” he said.

He criticized Musk’s infamous “chainsaw” rhetoric—calling it outrageous—and questioned the logic behind cutting tens of thousands of federal jobs without considering the impact on services like veterans’ healthcare.

While many Democrats debate how best to counter Trump, Sanders called for a grassroots uprising—pressuring lawmakers to reject corporate interests and stand with working people.

“You want to get reelected?” Sanders said. “Then you’re not going to vote to give tax breaks to billionaires and cut programs working-class people need.”

Though he didn’t name a successor for his progressive movement, he highlighted Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as a rising ally and urged Americans to take action, not just wait for politicians to lead.

Bernie Sanders may be older, but his message hasn’t aged a day: People before profits. Democracy over oligarchy. Unity over hate.

His town hall wasn’t just about policy—it was a warning and a rallying cry. As Sanders put it, “We don’t have to hate China. We don’t have to hate other people. Let’s figure out a way to work together.”