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The political stage is heating up as Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s “Fight Oligarchy” tour continues to gain steam across the United States. With their strong message against economic inequality and corporate greed, they’re attracting crowds, energizing their supporters, and sending shockwaves through political circles, particularly among conservative figures like Elon Musk.
Their rallies, already packing thousands into venues across the country, have become a significant point of contention. Just last week, Sanders’s communications team boasted about the 30,000-strong crowd in Denver.
Yet, it’s the reaction from Musk and his allies that has been particularly noticeable. The billionaire has taken to social media to downplay the rallies’ success, pushing unfounded allegations about paid protesters attending the events, all while dismissing their political legitimacy.
Musk’s claims started with a post from Mario Nawfal, a right-wing media figure, who disputed the reported 34,000 attendees at the Denver rally. Instead, Nawfal argued that GPS data analysis—without any verified evidence—suggested the crowd was closer to 20,000.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Nawfal went on to accuse the rally attendees of being “paid protesters,” alleging that 84% of the devices used at the rally had appeared at previous demonstrations, including those linked to Antifa, pro-Hamas, and pro-Palestinian events.
This narrative was amplified by Musk, who reposted Nawfal’s accusations, further fueling the fire. But as with most of Musk’s ventures into politics, there’s a major issue: no credible evidence supports these claims.
Nawfal’s unsubstantiated analysis and Musk’s perpetuation of these rumors are, at best, baseless distractions.
The very idea that Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez’s rallies—focused on fighting oligarchic power—would attract politically active people attending multiple protests is not surprising. These are the very individuals who are most deeply invested in making political change.
They’re the ones who show up, time and time again, for causes they believe in, just like the die-hard MAGA supporters who follow Trump from rally to rally.
But instead of addressing the substantive issues raised by Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez—issues like wealth inequality and the undue influence of corporations—Musk and his supporters are trying to delegitimize the rallies with unfounded accusations. By focusing on these distractions, Musk is avoiding a conversation that is much harder to deflect: the very real anger many Americans feel about the current economic and political system.
Musk’s stance becomes even more troubling when considering his own track record. The billionaire has been known to offer millions in cash for votes and signatures, including during the push for conservative causes.
So, his sudden concern over “paid protesters” rings hollow. If Musk is truly concerned about the integrity of political rallies, perhaps he should first turn the spotlight on his own actions.
What is even more alarming is the focus Musk places on these rallies, and by extension, the growing movement led by Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez. Rather than accepting that their message resonates with millions of Americans frustrated by the power of the wealthy elite, Musk and his allies have chosen to focus on trivial distractions and baseless accusations.
The Sanders-Ocasio-Cortez rallies are not just about two high-profile politicians. They represent a larger shift in American politics, a movement challenging entrenched systems of power. These rallies are reaching far beyond the usual progressive base.
They’re speaking to people who want change and who see the current political system as one that’s rigged in favor of the rich and powerful.
In stark contrast, Musk’s attacks and the support he’s giving to unfounded claims represent an old guard mentality—one that seeks to maintain the status quo and keep power in the hands of a few. This is a political battle that’s playing out across the nation.
On one side, you have the movement for a fairer and more equitable society, and on the other, you have figures like Musk who are invested in protecting their own interests, often at the expense of the public.
For Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez, the fight is far from over. Their message of economic justice is resonating more deeply than ever, and with each passing rally, the movement is only gaining momentum.
Meanwhile, Musk’s attempts to undermine them appear to be a sign of desperation—a tactic to distract from the deeper issues that Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez are bringing to light.
Ultimately, this is more than just a fight for political dominance. It’s a battle for the future of the American political system. As Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez continue to rally supporters, they’re not just building a base for 2024—they’re reshaping the conversation about power, wealth, and influence in America.
And Musk’s attacks, as misguided as they may be, are unlikely to change the course of that conversation.
In the long run, it’s the people—those who turn out for rallies, those who push for change, and those who demand a fairer system—that will decide the future of American politics. And they’re not backing down anytime soon.
