The Coachella music festival is known for its star-studded line-up, but Saturday night saw an unexpected guest take the stage. In a surprise appearance, Senator Bernie Sanders captivated a massive crowd at the festival in Indio, California, delivering a powerful speech that condemned President Donald Trump and called upon the younger generation to stand against billionaires, the fossil fuel industry, and the rollback of abortion rights across the nation. His passionate address took place under a full moon, as excited fans rushed over to capture the moment on their cameras following an electrifying performance by Charli XCX at a nearby stage.
Sanders was invited to the festival by the organizers to introduce singer-songwriter Clairo, who he praised for her commitment to activism. He was introduced by Maxwell Frost, the Florida Democrat and the first Gen Z member of Congress. “I’m here because Clairo has used her prominence to fight for women’s rights and to try to end the brutal war in Gaza, where thousands of women and children are being killed,” Sanders remarked as he took the stage.
In his emotional address, Sanders warned the crowd about the dangers facing the world since the return of the Trump administration. He emphasized, “the future of what happens in America is dependent on your generation.” His mention of the president was met with a resounding chorus of boos from the audience, to which Sanders responded, “I agree!” He criticized Trump for labeling climate change as a hoax, declaring, “He is dangerously wrong, and you and I are going to have to stand up to the fossil fuel industry and tell them to stop destroying the planet.”
During his speech, Sanders highlighted the administration’s efforts to dismantle climate initiatives, including significant staff cuts at environmental agencies and the rollback of vital regulations. “Now you can turn away and you can ignore what goes on, but if you do that, you do it at your own peril,” the 83-year-old senator warned, as the crowd erupted in cheers. He urged attendees to fight for justice—economic, social, and racial—stressing the importance of resisting oligarchs like Elon Musk, who he believes have manipulated the American political system.
Concluding his three-minute address, Sanders criticized drug companies and insurance firms for failing to recognize that healthcare is a human right. “We have an economy that is working very well for the billionaire class, but not for working families,” he stated, encapsulating the essence of his message. His appearance at Coachella followed an earlier rally in Los Angeles, part of his “Fighting Oligarchy” tour alongside Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York. Organizers reported that the L.A. rally attracted approximately 36,000 attendees and featured performances by iconic artists including Neil Young, Joan Baez, and Maggie Rogers.
This latest stop in Sanders' national anti-Trump tour continues to resonate with audiences across the country, drawing massive crowds eager to hear his message of social and economic justice.
