Senator Bernie Sanders, an 83-year-old Independent from Vermont, cries “authoritarianism” as successful businessmen like Trump, Musk, and Bezos reshape media ownership and challenge progressive control of information. The self-proclaimed democratic socialist displayed his fear that traditional checks on conservative speech are weakening while real Americans celebrate the restoration of free speech principles across platforms.
Sanders’ Hypocrisy Exposed as Free Speech Flourishes
In a recent interview on the left-wing podcast “Pod Save America,” Bernie Sanders claimed that the current media landscape represents “the scariest times” in his lifetime. His complaints specifically targeted President Trump, Elon Musk, and Jeff Bezos for their influences on media and government, revealing his discomfort with viewpoint diversity.
Sanders’ remarks demonstrate the left’s panic as their monopoly on information control crumbles under new ownership at major platforms. The Vermont senator expressed particular concern about Musk’s acquisition of Twitter (now X), which has restored thousands of conservative accounts previously silenced under progressive management.
Media Ownership Changes Threaten Progressive Narratives
The socialist senator specifically criticized Bezos for changes at The Washington Post, falsely characterizing reductions in the paper’s heavily left-leaning editorial staff as a right-wing takeover. His complaints come as The Post’s readership has reportedly plummeted from 22.5 million daily users in January 2021 to as few as 2.5 million by mid-2024.
Together, Bezos, Musk & Zuckerberg own more wealth than the bottom half of America.
Billionaires are buying elections.
And there's a greater concentration of ownership than at any time since the Gilded Age.
Is that the society we want for our country? pic.twitter.com/DLluIooA1U
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) January 7, 2025
Sanders’ fear reflects the broader panic among progressives as their stranglehold over digital town squares weakens. The senator’s complaints ignore how Musk’s changes at X have restored balance by allowing conservatives to participate in online discussions without fear of ideologically-motivated bans.
Constitutional Checks Protecting Americans from Leftist Control
Sanders expressed particular distress over President Trump’s legal victories against biased media outlets. ABC News recently settled a defamation lawsuit with President Trump, agreeing to a $15 million charitable contribution and acknowledging their failure to uphold journalistic standards.
“So it’s not only the power of money; it’s also, combined with that, the movement toward authoritarianism. You know, when Trump unilaterally cuts federal funding that was passed by Congress, that is illegal.” – Bernie Sanders
Musk & his fellow oligarchs feel entitled to power, control & wealth. In other words, they think they're modern-day kings.
They think it is their RIGHT to rule.
I'm LIVE on the Senate Floor to discuss oligarchy's war on the working class. https://t.co/HmjFMNdnAi
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) February 11, 2025
The senator’s complaints about “authoritarianism” directly contradict his own support for government control over healthcare, energy, banking, and education. Sanders’ record shows consistent support for expanding government power into every aspect of American life while now objecting to constitutional checks that limit federal overreach.
Veteran journalist Al Hunt joined Sanders in expressing “depression” over changes that have created more media balance. Their concerns highlight the disconnect between coastal elites and everyday Americans who welcome the restoration of First Amendment principles across platforms previously dominated by progressive gatekeepers.
President Trump’s commitment to investigating taxpayer-funded media outlets like PBS and NPR represents proper oversight of government spending. American patriots recognize these actions not as threats to democracy but as necessary safeguards against government-funded propaganda using citizen tax dollars.