Who Owns America? — Bernie Sanders Says the Quiet Part Out Loud
- Natasha L
- Nov 18
- 4 min read
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A comprehensive breakdown of Trevor Noah’s interview with Senator Bernie Sanders Who Owns America Bernie Sanders…
In this powerful interview, Bernie Sanders sits down with Trevor Noah to unpack what he calls a dangerous rise in oligarchy, a broken political system, the failures of both parties, and why working-class anger is being redirected toward the wrong enemies. Sanders uses clear, relatable examples—from billionaire political donations to the cost-of-living crisis—to explain how America arrived at this moment and what must happen next.
📌 Summary of the Conversation
1. America’s System is Broken — But Why?
Sanders argues that millions of Americans recognize the system is failing them: wages haven’t kept up in 50 years, cost of living has skyrocketed, and basic necessities like healthcare, education, and childcare have become unaffordable. Who Owns America Bernie Sanders…
Both Trump and progressives tap into that frustration — but Trump channels it into blaming powerless groups, while billionaires deepen their control of the economy, media, and political process.
2. Oligarchy: Who Really Owns America?
Sanders explains that a tiny number of corporations and billionaires control staggering amounts of power:
Elon Musk owns more wealth than the bottom 52% of the country
The top 1% own more than the bottom 93%
BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street hold dominant ownership stakes in 95% of U.S. corporations Who Owns America Bernie Sanders…
This consolidation affects:
Prices
Wages
Media narratives
Elections
Public policy
This is what he defines as oligarchy: extreme concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few.
3. The Media & Political Capture
Six major media conglomerates control ~90% of what Americans see and read. Billionaires own newspapers, social platforms, and major information pipelines. Who Owns America Bernie Sanders…
Sanders highlights:
Musk owning Twitter
Jeff Bezos owning The Washington Post
The Ellison family buying Paramount/CBS
Zuckerberg controlling Meta/Facebook/Instagram
This impacts which stories matter—and which don’t.
4. Why Working People Are Angry — and Vulnerable to Demagogues
Real wages for the average worker are lower than 50 years ago, despite huge gains in productivity.Who Owns America Bernie Sanders…
This pain creates fertile ground for political manipulation.
Trump correctly identifies that “the system is broken,” but Sanders says he blames the wrong people: immigrants, LGBTQ individuals, minorities—anyone without power. Who Owns America Bernie Sanders…
It’s a classic tactic:Blame the powerless → protect the powerful.
5. The Democratic Party’s Identity Crisis
Sanders criticizes Democratic leadership for:
Becoming a corporatized party
Prioritizing donors over working-class voters
Being terrified of grassroots movements like Mamdani’s campaign Who Owns America Bernie Sanders…
He argues they are out of touch with the economic suffering of everyday Americans.
6. What Real Reform Would Look Like
Sanders lays out what he sees as achievable, non-radical solutions:
Medicare for All
Tuition-free public college (which once actually existed in the U.S.)
Universal childcare
Worker-owned companies
Campaign finance reform & public funding for elections
Stronger unionization Who Owns America Bernie Sanders…
He emphasizes these ideas are the global norm in places like Scandinavia and Canada.
7. Why Sanders Still Believes Change is Possible
Despite the challenges, Sanders says he continues because:
He’s seen overwhelming crowds demanding change
He’s inspired by young people
He’s seen working people unite across race and background
He has witnessed social movements succeed before Who Owns America Bernie Sanders…
The fight is difficult, but not hopeless.
🔥 Key Takeaways
1. America is drifting toward oligarchy
A small group of billionaires and corporations control the economy, the media, and political influence.
2. The political system is bought and paid for
Super PACs and billionaires dominate elections; candidates fear crossing them.
3. Working Americans are worse off than they were 50 years ago
Real wages have stagnated while wealth has concentrated at the top.
4. Both parties have failed working-class people
Republicans embrace oligarchs. Democrats are scared to challenge them.
5. Identity politics distracts from economic issues
Sanders argues the focus should be on class, wages, and economic justice.
6. There are achievable solutions
Countries around the world already provide universal education and healthcare.
7. Change will only come from mass grassroots movements
Power must come from the bottom up, not the top down.
🤔 Common Questions Readers Might Ask
1. What exactly is an oligarchy?
An oligarchy is a system where a small elite group holds most economic and political power.
2. Is Sanders calling for socialism?
He emphasizes democratic socialism, meaning democracy in workplaces, healthcare, and elections—not government ownership of everything.
3. Why does Sanders say Democrats are part of the problem?
He argues they rely too heavily on corporate donors and avoid challenging wealth concentration.
4. How does media consolidation affect me personally?
Fewer companies controlling information means fewer perspectives and more narrative manipulation.
5. Were college and healthcare ever affordable in the U.S.?
Yes. Many public colleges—including CUNY and University of California—were once tuition-free.
6. Why do wages feel so low despite technology improving?
Because gains in productivity went entirely to the top 1%.
7. What can ordinary citizens do?
Organize, join movements, vote for candidates who refuse billionaire money, and support unions.
🔗 Helpful Links for a Deeper Dive
Income & Wealth Inequality
Pew Research Center – https://www.pewresearch.org
Campaign Finance & Citizens United
Brennan Center Explainer – https://www.brennancenter.org
Healthcare Costs
KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation) – https://www.kff.org
Student Loan Crisis
Federal Reserve Analysis – https://www.federalreserve.gov
Corporate Ownership Data
Investopedia: BlackRock, Vanguard, State Street – https://www.investopedia.com
🔍 Related Keywords
American oligarchy
Bernie Sanders interview
Wealth inequality in America
Billionaire political influence
Cost of living crisis 2025
Working-class struggles
Media consolidation explained
Democratic socialism in the U.S.
Trump authoritarianism warning
Public funding for elections
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