In a pointed response to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders articulated concerns about the administration’s alignment with America’s wealthiest individuals. Sanders highlighted that Trump’s inauguration was marked by the presence of billionaires, which he argued illustrates the President’s priorities.

During his remarks, Sanders noted that the alignment of interests was unmistakable. “Standing right behind him were the three wealthiest men in the country,” he pointed out, specifically mentioning Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg. He emphasized that Trump’s administration has consistently favored the interests of the extremely rich.

Sanders criticized the administration’s failure to address significant issues facing the working class, asserting that the recent address lacked solutions for rising living costs. He referred to the Trump administration as “a government of the billionaire class, by the billionaire class, and for the billionaire class,” reinforcing the point that the administration’s policies predominantly serve wealthy donors rather than ordinary citizens.

Highlighting key issues such as the proposed cuts to Medicaid and the insufficient federal minimum wage, Sanders called for an increase to a living wage of $17 per hour. He also reiterated the need to repeal the Citizens United ruling to undermine corporate influence over electoral processes.

As part of a broader campaign, Sanders urged the coalition of working Americans across various backgrounds to unite against the agenda which he argues benefits a select few. He contended that despite the considerable power and resources of the wealthy elite, change is attainable through collective action. “Yes, the oligarchs ARE enormously powerful. They have endless amounts of money,” he stated, but encouraged solidarity among the working class.

Sanders’ message underlined that overcoming systemic oppression requires unity, asserting, “If we stand together and not let them divide us… there is nothing in the world that can stop us.”

In contrast to Sanders’ focus on economic issues, the Democratic Party’s official response, delivered by Senator Elissa Slotkin, navigated towards a nostalgic reflection on past leadership, specifically invoking Ronald Reagan. Critics of this approach questioned the relevance of such references in a contemporary context, especially given the long-term consequences of Reagan’s policies on economic inequality.

Historians highlighted the need for modern political messages to focus on economic security, suggesting that harkening back to Cold War-era politics does not engage today’s electorate effectively.

In conclusion, Sanders urged his supporters to remain hopeful and engaged. He remarked, “Despair is not an option,” expressing that giving up is unacceptable in the face of pressing challenges. Sanders highlighted that effective change occurs when ordinary people mobilize and fight back against oppression—encouraging a forward march united towards common goals.

As he concluded, “We can win. We will win. Let’s go forward together,” signaling a persistent commitment to advocate for the rights of working people and challenge the current political status quo.