In a fiery livestreamed response to President Donald Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) condemned the President’s rhetoric and policies, accusing him of perpetuating a “parallel universe” of lies while ignoring the pressing issues facing working-class Americans. Over 91,000 viewers tuned in to Sanders’ remarks, which were broadcast on his social media platforms.
Sanders began by addressing what he called Trump’s “Big Lie” strategy, accusing the President of repeatedly making false claims to distract from the real challenges confronting the nation. “Trump has been very effective in creating a parallel universe for his supporters—a set of ideas that either have no basis in reality or are nowhere near the most important concerns of the American people,” Sanders said. He cited examples such as Trump’s claims about the 2020 election, the January 6th insurrection, and climate change, all of which Sanders labeled as lies.
The Senator reserved particular criticism for Trump’s assertion during his speech that millions of deceased individuals between the ages of 100 and 360 were fraudulently collecting Social Security checks. “That is an outrageous lie intended to lay the groundwork for cuts to Social Security,” Sanders said, emphasizing that the program remains a vital lifeline for 70 million Americans.
Sanders argued that Trump’s administration, backed by billionaires like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg, represents a government “of the billionaire class, by the billionaire class, and for the billionaire class.” He warned that the U.S. is no longer moving toward oligarchy but is already living in one. “This is a government that could care less about the working families of this country,” he declared.
The Senator then shifted focus to the struggles of everyday Americans, highlighting issues such as economic insecurity, healthcare, housing, and climate change. He noted that 60% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, while the nation’s healthcare system remains broken and unaffordable. “We remain the only wealthy nation on earth not to guarantee healthcare for all,” Sanders said, calling for a Medicare for All system.
Sanders also criticized Trump’s proposed budget, which he said would slash Medicaid by $880 billion and cut nutrition assistance by $230 billion. “What we are seeing is the Robin Hood principle in reverse—taking from the poor and giving to the rich,” he said, condemning the administration’s policies as detrimental to working families.
On the international stage, Sanders expressed concern over Trump’s alignment with authoritarian regimes and his failure to support democracy abroad. “For the first time in our 250-year history, we have a president who is turning his back on democracy,” Sanders said, urging continued support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.
Despite the challenges, Sanders struck a hopeful tone, calling on Americans to unite and fight for progressive change. He outlined a bold agenda that includes raising the minimum wage to $17 an hour, expanding Social Security, guaranteeing healthcare for all, and addressing climate change through sustainable energy initiatives. “Real change only occurs when ordinary people stand up against oppression and injustice—and fight back,” he said.
Sanders concluded with a rallying cry for unity and action. “If we stand together and not let them divide us up by the color of our skin or where we were born or our religion or sexual orientation; if we bring our people together around an agenda that works for the many and not the few—there is nothing in the world that can stop us,” he declared. “We can win. We will win. Let’s go forward together.”
The livestreamed address resonated with viewers, many of whom expressed support for Sanders’ message on social media. As the nation grapples with deepening inequality and political polarization, Sanders’ call for solidarity and progressive reform has struck a chord with millions of Americans seeking change.
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