Adrian Volenik
Sat, December 20, 2025
Benzinga
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) says there’s a different kind of wealthy Americans emerging, and they no longer see themselves as part of the same system as everyone else.
Billionaires, Poverty And Misplaced Priorities
“There is a new breed of uber capitalists out there who really believe, and they write about this as well, that they are superior human beings,” Sanders said on the “Flagrant” podcast earlier this year. He said many billionaires today view their wealth as proof they deserve more power, not just economically, but politically and socially.
He compared this modern mindset to outdated elitist worldviews from centuries ago. “Back in the 19th century… I am the king, God made my family king… Sorry you're starving to death but that's the way life goes,” he said. “God told me my family rules.”
Podcast host Andrew Schulz pointed to the hypocrisy of some of the ultra-wealthy pledging to give away their money only at the end of their lives. “As they get closer to death, they’re like, ‘Our goal is to give away all our money,’ which seems to tell me that they think that there is an issue with them having all that money,” he said. Sanders agreed: “I think they want it all. I really do,” saying that it’s because they’re very competitive.
“We are the richest country in the history of the world,” Sanders said. And yet, “60% of people live paycheck to paycheck.” He argued that the U.S. has more than enough money to address its biggest problems–if it chose to
Sanders also talked about the U.S. spending “twice as much per person on healthcare as most European countries,” yet still sees tens of thousands of preventable deaths each year due to unaffordable care. “We pay child care workers McDonald's wages,” he added, while claiming to love kids.
“There is a new breed of uber capitalists out there who really believe, and they write about this as well, that they are superior human beings,” Sanders said on the “Flagrant” podcast earlier this year. He said many billionaires today view their wealth as proof they deserve more power, not just economically, but politically and socially.
He compared this modern mindset to outdated elitist worldviews from centuries ago. “Back in the 19th century… I am the king, God made my family king… Sorry you're starving to death but that's the way life goes,” he said. “God told me my family rules.”
Podcast host Andrew Schulz pointed to the hypocrisy of some of the ultra-wealthy pledging to give away their money only at the end of their lives. “As they get closer to death, they’re like, ‘Our goal is to give away all our money,’ which seems to tell me that they think that there is an issue with them having all that money,” he said. Sanders agreed: “I think they want it all. I really do,” saying that it’s because they’re very competitive.
“We are the richest country in the history of the world,” Sanders said. And yet, “60% of people live paycheck to paycheck.” He argued that the U.S. has more than enough money to address its biggest problems–if it chose to
Sanders also talked about the U.S. spending “twice as much per person on healthcare as most European countries,” yet still sees tens of thousands of preventable deaths each year due to unaffordable care. “We pay child care workers McDonald's wages,” he added, while claiming to love kids.
Military Spending
More recently, Sanders has turned his attention to military spending, calling out the U.S. government for prioritizing defense over basic human needs.
President Donald Trump signed the $901 billion National Defense Authorization Act on Thursday after it passed both the House and Senate with bipartisan support. Sanders was one of the 20 lawmakers to vote against it.
“We are spending $1 trillion every year on the military. That's more than the next NINE nations combined,” Sanders wrote on X on Thursday. “Meanwhile, millions lack health care & we have the highest childhood and senior poverty rate of almost any major country. Congress needs to get its priorities straight.”
He posted a video along with the statement, criticizing lawmakers for focusing on parts of the defense bill rather than its overall price tag. “We don't look at the bill in its totality,” he said. “When you add everything up, we are spending over $1 trillion a year on the military.”
© 2025 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
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Bernie Sanders Questions Elon Musk's Universal High Income, Free Housing Claims Amid AI, Robotics Push: 'How Will This Utopia Come…'
Badar Shaikh
Sun, December 21, 2025
BENZINGA
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has slammed Tesla Inc
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has slammed Tesla Inc
How Will This Utopia Come About, Bernie Sanders Asks
In a post on the social media platform X on Thursday, Sanders shared a video directed at Musk. "Just a couple of questions for you," Sanders captioned the video. In the video, the Senator asked Musk questions about his artificial intelligence and robotics efforts, which will bring about a "utopia" in the world.
"You have told us poverty will be wiped out, work will be optional," Sanders said, adding that Musk also claimed that there will be "universal high income" for everyone. "How will this utopia come about?" Sanders asked if there were no "entry-level jobs" available in the market.
"When are they going to get the free housing?" Sanders asked, adding that if robots took over manufacturing jobs, when would the people working in factories receive free healthcare?
"I look forward to hearing about how you and your other oligarch friends are going to provide working people with the magnificent life that you promise," Sanders said. He also criticized President Donald Trump for doubling insurance premiums for millions of people and the SNAP benefit woes.
Hello, @elonmusk!
Just a couple of questions for you: https://t.co/bVvoOTzuum pic.twitter.com/R3h0GvdSQq
— Sen. Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) December 19, 2025
See Also: Deloitte's #1 Fastest-Growing Software Company Lets Users Earn Money Just by Scrolling — Accredited Investors Can Still Get In at $0.50/Share.
Elon Musk Vs Bernie Sanders
The pair recently got into a heated exchange on social media after Sanders criticized the construction of AI datacenters, asking for a moratorium on the data centers. The comments prompted Musk to call Sanders a coward who lacked "any sense of adventure."
Sanders had also voiced his opposition to the construction of new data centers in the past, warning that the tech industry’s AI push posed a threat to jobs, democracy, as well as public resources.
Sanders has received backing from Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), who said that, despite representing Silicon Valley, he was backing Sanders as he shared that the AI technology should be helpful to workers and not “tech barons.”
Tesla's $1.58 Trillion Valuation, Falling Sales
Meanwhile, Tesla's total valuation recently reached $1.58 trillion, which further helped the EV giant bolster its position as the most valuable automaker in the world, putting it well ahead of other auto industry rivals, including Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE:TM).
However, Tesla's sales continue to be lackluster, with the latest figures suggesting a steep 23% decline in November U.S. sales amid President Donald Trump‘s introduction of several anti-EV policy changes in the U.S., like relaxing CAFE standards, among other reasons.
Photo courtesy: Joshua Sukoff on Shuttertsock.com
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