Bernie Sanders and AOC Draw Large Crowds in Republican Strongholds

"Fighting Oligarchy" Tour

• 🎯 The "Fighting Oligarchy" tour, featuring Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), is drawing large crowds across multiple states.
• 📣 The tour's stated goal is to protest against an extreme concentration of power, referencing the White House and figures like Elon Musk.

Unexpected Audiences

• ⚡ Rallies are being held in Republican-dominated districts and counties that voted for Trump, attracting not only progressives but also conservatives surprised by current policies.
• 📍 Venues in areas like Bakersfield, California, Nampa, Idaho, and Missoula, Montana, are filling up, indicating a broader unease with the executive branch's actions.

Immigration and Latino Support

• ⚠️ In Bakersfield, California, a significant number of Latino attendees were present, protesting immigration policies that have impacted farmworkers and residents.
• 🤝 This indicates that concerns about specific issues, like immigration, are drawing diverse groups to these rallies, even those who may not align with progressive politics.

Fundraising Success

• 💰 AOC raised over $9.5 million in the first three months of 2025, her strongest quarter ever.
• 📈 Bernie Sanders raised over $11 million in the same period, highlighting the financial power of their grassroots support.
• 🗣️ The campaign emphasizes a "people-powered movement" funded by small, individual donations, averaging $21, to maintain independence from corporate money.