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The turnout for Bernie Sanders’ Fighting Oligarchy tour is not just growing—it’s exploding. Recent events across California, Idaho, Montana, and Utah have attracted a diverse audience, with Sanders’ office reporting that 21% of attendees identify as Independents and 8% as Republicans. Clearly, the appeal of challenging entrenched power knows no party lines.
The week’s events saw a remarkable total of 146,950 attendees, including a staggering 35,000 at his surprise appearance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, where he introduced artist Clairo. Notably, a record 36,000 people gathered in Los Angeles, marking the largest crowd Sanders has ever drawn. Livestreams of these events have garnered nearly 2 million views across various social media platforms.
Launched six weeks ago, the Fighting Oligarchy tour has already attracted a total of 254,931 individuals across seventeen stops in eleven states. Before this week, Sanders held rallies in Omaha, Iowa City, Kenosha, Altoona, Warren, Las Vegas, Tempe, Greeley, Denver, and Tucson, with over 6 million viewers tuning into those livestreams.
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Here’s a detailed look at attendance at each event:
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Los Angeles, California — 36,000
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This event set a record for Sanders. Previously, his largest crowd was 28,356 in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, in 2016, and 25,972 in Queensbridge Park, NY, during his second presidential campaign in 2019.
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Coachella Valley, California — 35,000
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Salt Lake City, Utah — 20,000
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Despite Donald Trump winning Utah by over 20 points, Sanders and AOC drew overflow crowds, forcing over 4,000 attendees to watch from outside the venue.
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Nampa, Idaho — 12,500
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This marked the largest political event in Idaho since Barack Obama’s run in 2008, despite Trump winning the county with 71% in 2024. 12,500 people attended the Fighting Oligarchy rally.
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Bakersfield, California — 4,450
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On a Tuesday afternoon, 4,450 people gathered to hear from Sanders and AOC in this Republican stronghold, home to former GOP House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. The district was barely won by Rep. David Valadao in 2024.
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Folsom, California — 30,000
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Initially, 20,000 people RSVP’d for this rally in a Republican-held district, but 30,000 showed up, leading to a three-mile line to enter. This event ranks as the third-largest in Sanders’ career, following Los Angeles and Denver.
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Missoula, Montana — 9,000
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In a state won by Trump with 58.4% of the vote, 9,000 attendees exceeded the 6,000 who RSVP’d, with 1,500 waiting outside after the venue reached its limit.
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Senator Sanders is strategically targeting House districts that are either purple or were narrowly won by Republicans in 2024.
Sanders stated, “This week, the American people turned out in enormous numbers. Their message was clear: they do not want oligarchy, they do not want authoritarianism. They are tired of the rampant income and wealth inequality perpetuated by the billionaire class and a political system that allows such corruption to thrive. Most importantly, they are ready to fight back.”
The American public appears to be pushing back against the status quo, delivering a firm rejection of Trump and his party.
Democracy, it seems, is alive and well, with citizens rising to claim their power.
What are your thoughts on the record crowds for the Fighting Oligarchy tour? We invite you to share your insights in the comments below.
