WATCH: Bernie Sanders interview on The Axios Show, episode 4
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) critiqued the Democratic Party, blasted the pro-Israel lobby and warned about dangers of the AI revolution during an interview on "The Axios Show."
Inside the room: Sanders told Axios' Alex Thompson that President Trump's political success and 2024 victory stem from his understanding that voters are unhappy with the status quo — which Democrats have failed to connect with Americans on.
- "Trump understood the system is broken. His solutions make it worse. Democrats do not acknowledge that reality, tinker around the edges and people say, 'Trump may be crazy, but at least he's trying to do something.'" the longtime progressive told Thompson.
- Sanders — whose new book "Fight Oligarchy" is out this week — attributed Kamala Harris' loss last year to caution toward offending big businesses and corporations.
- "It's very hard to say that Kamala Harris ran a campaign that spoke to the needs of the working class and was prepared to take on corporate greed and the oligarchs," he said.
Driving the news: Sanders doubled down on his support for Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner, saying there might be "one or two more important issues" than the Marine veteran's tattoos. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has backed Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D) in the primary race.
- "I'm not overly impressed by a squad of media running around saying, 'what do you think about the tattoo on Graham Platner's chest,'" he said.
- Looking ahead: Sanders said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) would make a formidable presidential candidate in 2028, calling her "a very, very good politician," in "the best sense of the word."
Zoom out: Sanders blasted AIPAC and Israel's right-wing government, accusing the pro-Israel lobby of using billionaire money to silence U.S. progressives and shield Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's actions in Gaza.
- He described advancements in artificial intelligence as "a meteor coming to this planet" and expressed concerns about the "enormous transformational impact" AI and robotics will have on the U.S. economy, particularly on entry-level jobs for young people
- The senator, a Brooklyn native and childhood fan of the then-Brooklyn Dodgers, said his office is "going to get involved" with what he described as billionaire sports owners making game attendance less affordable.
"The Axios Show" is our series featuring top Axios reporters interviewing newsmakers shaping politics, business, tech, and culture.
Go deeper:
