Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) are hitting the road for a series of town hall events across Western states, aiming to spark a “populist revolt” against the growing influence of the Trump-Musk alliance. Starting Thursday, the progressive duo will outline a bold strategy to challenge the political establishment and fight back against what they see as an emerging concentration of power.
Sanders has already been holding rallies across the Midwest, drawing large crowds in small towns and rural areas. Thousands of supporters have gathered to hear his message of lifting the working class, with many of them expressing frustration over a political system that seems to cater only to the elite.
These rallies have become some of the few bright spots for Democrats, who have struggled to unite around a clear strategy to take on President Trump during his second term. While the Democratic Party’s approval rating is at a historic low, Trump’s approval has remained above 40%.
Faiz Shakir, an adviser to Sanders, noted that many Democrats have asked how Sanders, at 83 years old, is able to stir such enthusiasm in parts of the country that are often overlooked by mainstream politicians.
“We’re living in an intensely populist moment right now: it’s not ‘left versus right,’ it’s ‘very top versus everyone else,’” Shakir wrote in a memo titled “The Populist Revolt Is Happening.”
Shakir explained that while Trump’s policies are chaotic and unpopular, he retains a certain level of support because he openly confronts political elites. On the other hand, the Democratic Party has struggled to appeal to working-class voters, many of whom feel the party isn’t prioritizing the economic issues that matter most to them.
“The Democratic brand is struggling because voters do not see Party leaders as ‘top 1 percent versus bottom 99 percent’ warriors,” Shakir said. “Instead, it is too often understood as focusing on anything but core economic issues.”
Shakir believes that Democrats can win back disillusioned working-class voters, but only if they embrace a more aggressive stance on economic justice. He argues that Sanders’s class-based economic approach—one that directly challenges political and economic corruption—could reignite the party’s appeal and restore its connection to everyday Americans.
“Only then will the Party be given governing authority and popular mandate to do something about it,” Shakir wrote.
Sanders’s return to the political spotlight has, of course, sparked speculation about a potential third presidential run. However, Sanders has made it clear that, at 83, he has no plans to run for president again. He told The New York Times earlier this year, “I am 83 years old. I do not think I’m going to be running for president.”
Meanwhile, Democrats are facing increasing frustration with their leadership. Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.) recently called for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to step aside after he voted to advance a GOP-backed funding bill to avoid a government shutdown.
“I respect Chuck Schumer. I think he had a great, long-standing career,” Ivey said at a town hall in his district. “But I’m afraid it may be time for Senate Democrats to choose a new leader.”
Many Democratic voters have expressed anger over Schumer’s handling of the funding bill, accusing him of not doing enough to stand up to Trump. One attendee at Ivey’s town hall even told him, “You are too calm. Show some fire like you’re trying to fight for the American people.”
Schumer’s leadership has drawn criticism from several Democrats, including former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who, while defending his leadership, added a sharp remark about his handling of the funding fight: “I myself don’t give away anything for nothing.”
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D), a billionaire and potential 2028 presidential candidate, also criticized Schumer’s strategy but warned against a civil war within the party.
“I do not think that Democrats should be jumping into internecine warfare,” Pritzker said in an interview.
As Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders rally their supporters, they continue to push the Democratic Party toward a more populist, economic-focused future—one that directly challenges the growing power of figures like Trump and Musk. The upcoming town halls are just the beginning of their effort to reignite the party’s connection with the working class and bring about real change.
