Sanders: Both parties 'largely corrupt'

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) took a swing at both political parties on Wednesday, arguing they are “largely corrupt” and reflect the interests of billionaires, rather than of everyday Americans.

In an interview on Fox News Channel’s “Special Report” with Bret Baier, Sanders was asked to explain the Democratic Party’s lackluster favorability ratings — and he pointed to the role money plays in politics and governments.

“I'll tell you why. People understand that the political system in this country is largely corrupt, both parties,” Sanders told Baier.

“Why is that? You know the answer. The answer is that you have billionaires in both political parties determine what legislation gets to the floor and who is the candidate,” the Vermont independent continued, referring to the hierarchical nature of legislative floor action and party politics in election cycles.

The senator stressed that the problem exists in both parties and gave examples.

“You're in the Republican Party and you say, ‘You know what?  I don't like this Trump idea of giving massive tax breaks to the rich and cutting Medicaid and education,’” Sanders said, asking, “You get up and say that, what happens to you?”

"The next day Elon Musk says, ‘I've got unlimited amounts of money, we're going to run a candidate in a primary against you,'" he said.

Sanders also pointed to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee's (AIPAC) influence in Democratic politics when its leaders criticized Israel's government and its handling of the war in Gaza.

“Democratic Party side, what happens if somebody says, ‘You know what? Maybe it's not a good idea to fund [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu's war machine, which is creating starvation for children in Gaza, I'm going to vote against that,’” Sanders said.

“Next day AIPAC is going to be running against you,” he continued.

The senator added, "We have a corrupt campaign finance system. Billionaires in both political parties are calling the tunes. The American people understand that."

The independent senator ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections.

Since the 2024 election, Sanders has been vocal in his criticism of both major parties and has drawn large crowds alongside Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) on his “Fighting Oligarchy” tour, which focused on highlighting wealth inequality and corruption in government.

The duo also pushed back against President Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) cuts to funding for social programs, such as Medicaid, and mass layoffs within the federal workforce