Izabella Hernandez

A recent TikTok video posted by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders warned viewers of the current political state of the country. “That is the reality that we live in,” he stated in the beginning of the video. “In an oligarchic society in which billionaires dominate not only our politics and the information we consume from the media but our government and economic lives as well.” Sanders was referring to Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos. 

The nine-minute TikTok video posted on Feb. 11 by Sanders explained and provided an opinion on what he believes is the agenda of these billionaires who are seen as the right hand for President Donald Trump. Sanders had some good points, and from what many Americans have heard or read, the possibility of an oligarchic government in the U.S. might be the road the nation is heading towards underwith the Trump administration. 

In the rise of an oligarchy composed of Musk, Bezos and Zuckerberg, Sanders mentions how the destruction through defunding USAID was just the start of these billionaires’ strategy. Soon enough, they will come after health care, nutrition, housing and education. 

The reason behind this strategy is that they can get a tax break from Congress, as if they do not have enough money to pay taxes like the rest of the American citizens. Paying taxes will not hurt their bank account considering they have more money than the middle and lower class combined. These men are needy for power, incredibly greedy and will not stop even if they sacrifice and abuse the well-being of working people to protect their interests. 

With Musk owning X, Zuckerberg owning Meta, which includes Facebook and Instagram, and Bezos owning the Washington Post and Twitch, they have all the social media they need to gatekeep influencers on Instagram reels or blockposts from being exposed to the internet as well as feeding ideas to individuals that benefit themselves and Trump. That is scary to think about because it infringes on individuals’ rights.

Sanders keeps his video honest and full of concern for the future of this country. He mentions the economy, campaign corruption, climate change and the fear the oligarchs have of diversity in the U.S. What these billionaires fear more than anything is all individuals whose race, religion, sexuality and gender differ from one another coming together to fight for their rights and a government who truly respects them. 

 Sanders made many good points in his TikTok video and has raised awareness amongst individuals who may not be as politically informed about the current political state. It is important to fight back and build a strong local community. As Sanders said in his video, “We can win. We will win. We must win.”