On March 23, 2025, thousands of supporters flocked to a Bernie Sanders rally in Denver, Colorado, despite the senator’s increasingly controversial reputation as a self-serving political figure. Sanders, who has long branded himself as a champion of the working class, drew a crowd of over 5,000 to the Denver Coliseum, where he railed against corporate greed and pushed his familiar platform of Medicare for All and wealth taxes. Attendees, many of whom donated small amounts ranging from $5 to $27 through ActBlue, were drawn by Sanders’ fiery rhetoric and promises of systemic change. Yet, critics on X and conservative outlets like The Federalist argue that these “saps” are being duped by a man whose actions reveal a stark disconnect between his populist messaging and his personal motivations, pointing to his history of amassing wealth and political influence while delivering little tangible change for his base.
 

Sanders’ detractors label him a “constitutional monarchist,” a hyperbolic jab at his apparent desire to maintain a permanent, symbolic role in American politics without adhering to consistent principles. They point to his shifting stances—such as his initial support for Biden’s 2020 campaign despite earlier criticisms, or his reluctance to fully condemn authoritarian regimes like Venezuela’s while decrying U.S. capitalism—as evidence of a man driven by self-interest rather than ideology. Moreover, Sanders has been criticized for hoarding small-dollar donations from low-income supporters, raising over $100 million in his 2020 presidential run alone, much of which went to staff salaries, private jet travel, and media buys rather than grassroots organizing. A 2024 report by OpenSecrets revealed that Sanders’ campaign committees often funneled funds to family members and close associates, fueling accusations that his movement is more about personal enrichment than systemic reform. To some, this rally in Denver is just another example of Sanders exploiting the hopes of “stupid poor people” to sustain his political relevance.
 

The irony of the Denver rally lies in its timing and context: Sanders, now 83, has little chance of running for president again, and his influence within the Democratic Party has waned as younger progressives like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez take the spotlight. Yet, thousands still turned out, waving signs and chanting “Bernie’s Back,” seemingly oblivious to his track record of unfulfilled promises—like the failure to pass Medicare for All despite decades in Congress—or his personal wealth, which includes three homes and a net worth estimated at $3 million. Critics argue that Sanders’ enduring appeal is a testament to his skill at branding himself as an outsider, even as he operates within the very system he critiques. For the attendees in Denver, the rally may feel like a stand against the establishment, but for Sanders’ detractors, it’s a cynical display of a politician who thrives on the adulation—and donations—of a loyal base, while offering little more than rhetoric in return.