Bernie Sanders Hits Coachella Stage Revs Up Anti-Trump Crowd

Posted on by EDITORIAL FEATURES

Bernie Sanders stunned a crowd of thousands at Coachella Saturday night with an unannounced appearance that interrupted a weekend dominated by Hip-Hop heavyweights and high-energy sets.

Just before indie artist Clairo took the stage, the 82-year-old senator from Vermont walked out to roaring applause.

His appearance caught festivalgoers off guard in the middle of a lineup that included Missy Elliott, GloRilla, Yeat, Three 6 Mafia, Machine Gun Kelly, Wiz Khalifa and Travis Scott.

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Introduced by Rep. Maxwell Frost of Florida, Sanders used his brief time on stage to deliver a pointed message about activism, inequality and the role of young people in shaping the country’s future.

“Healthcare is a human right,” Bernie Sanders said, drawing cheers from the crowd before praising Clairo not just for her music but for her political engagement.

“Now I’m here to introduce Clairo. Not just because they are a great band. Not only because Clairo, at the age of 13, posted videos on the internet as a singer-songwriter,” he said. “I’m here because Clairo has used her prominence to fight for women’s rights, to try to end the terrible, brutal war in Gaza where thousands, thousands of women and children are being killed.”

The crowd erupted when Sanders mentioned former President Donald Trump, prompting loud boos. Sanders didn’t hold back.

“I agree,” he said flatly.

Earlier that day, Sanders spoke with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at a rally in downtown Los Angeles as part of his “Fighting Oligarchy” tour, which focuses on corporate greed, climate change and economic reform.