In recent months, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) have teamed up for a series of high-profile campaign events under the banner of their “Fighting Oligarchy” tour.
These rallies, aimed at mobilizing progressive voters and addressing issues like wealth inequality, corporate influence in politics, and working-class empowerment, have drawn significant attention.
However, a lingering question has emerged in some circles: Are the crowds attending these events being paid to show up? Are people that are showing, caring about politics with a passion, or getting paid.
The Paid Audience Debate
Rumors and accusations about paid attendees have surfaced, particularly on social media platforms like X, where users have claimed that Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez’s rallies rely on orchestrated support rather than organic enthusiasm.
One post suggested that advertisements on Craigslist offered payment for attendees and that people were bussed in from other states to inflate crowd sizes. Another countered this, asserting that the crowds—such as the reported 5,000 at a recent Arizona rally—were genuine, with hundreds even turned away due to capacity limits.
No concrete evidence has emerged to substantiate claims of paid attendees. Historically, allegations of paid crowds have been leveled against various political figures across the spectrum, but investigations—like those into Donald Trump’s 2015 campaign launch—have often found such claims exaggerated or baseless.
In the case of Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez, their long-standing appeal to grassroots movements and their vocal rejection of corporate money make the idea of paid audiences seem inconsistent with their messaging. Still, without verifiable documentation (e.g., receipts, contracts, or firsthand accounts from alleged participants), these assertions remain speculative and inconclusive.
The campaign has not officially addressed these specific rumors, focusing instead on its policy-driven agenda.
The “Fighting Oligarchy” Tour: A Closer Look
The “Fighting Oligarchy” tour, which kicked off in early 2025, reflects Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez’s shared commitment to challenging the influence of billionaires and corporate elites in American democracy. The tour has included stops in swing states like Nevada, Arizona, and Colorado, with events drawing thousands of attendees.
For instance, a March 20, 2025, rally at Arizona State University’s Mullet Arena in Tempe reportedly filled the venue to capacity, leaving at least a thousand people outside. Sanders’ office has claimed that over 51,000 people are expected to attend events across the tour’s western leg, which also includes Denver, Greeley, and Tucson.
The campaign’s central message is a call to action against what Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez describe as an emerging oligarchy, exacerbated by figures like Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk.
Sanders has emphasized protecting social programs like Social Security and education funding, while Ocasio-Cortez has highlighted the need for a stronger Democratic Party that prioritizes working-class interests over centrist compromise.
Their speeches often critique both Republican policies and perceived weaknesses within their own party, urging a bolder progressive stance.
The Conflict in Bernie’s the AOC’S Debate
Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have been accused of leveraging their political positions to gain wealth, with Sanders reportedly earning millions through book deals and AOC boosting her net worth from a modest salary to multi-millionaire status within years.
Critics argue their financial gains, estimated at over $2 million for Sanders and a rapid increase from a $174,000 congressional salary for AOC, highlight a manipulation of the system they publicly oppose, raising questions about their progressive credentials.
Key Moments and Audience Reception
The tour builds on the duo’s history of collaboration, which dates back to Ocasio-Cortez’s endorsement of Sanders during his 2019 presidential campaign.
At a notable Queens rally that year, dubbed “Bernie’s Back,” over 25,000 people gathered to hear Sanders—fresh off a heart attack—and Ocasio-Cortez, who framed his decades-long consistency as a personal inspiration.
Fast forward to 2025, and their events continue to attract diverse, multigenerational crowds, from longtime Sanders supporters to younger voters inspired by Ocasio-Cortez’s rise.
Attendees have described a sense of camaraderie and urgency. At the Denver rally on March 21, 2025, which drew over 34,000 people to Civic Center Park, participants like Cathy Leon of Fort Collins expressed relief at finding “people of like mind” amid frustration with the current administration.
Others, such as Bonnie Auslander of Lyons, voiced disappointment with the Democratic establishment’s approach to working-class issues, seeing Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez as a counterpoint to mainstream party politics.
Beyond the Crowds: Policy and Impact
The campaign isn’t just about turnout—it’s a platform for policy advocacy. Sanders has pushed for public campaign funding to counter the effects of the Citizens United ruling, which he and Ocasio-Cortez argue has flooded elections with “dark money.” Ocasio-Cortez has called for community-building as a bulwark against authoritarianism, urging the formation of local groups to sustain momentum beyond election cycles.
Both have tied their rhetoric to tangible goals: universal healthcare, a $15 minimum wage, and aggressive action on climate change, echoing their past joint efforts like the Green New Deal.
While the tour isn’t explicitly tied to a 2025 election, it’s seen as a strategic move to pressure lawmakers—especially Republicans in narrowly won districts—and energize progressive voters ahead of future battles.
Sanders, now 83, and Ocasio-Cortez, 35, represent a generational bridge within the left, blending his veteran activism with her fresh, media-savvy approach.
As of March 22, 2025, the notion that Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez are paying their audiences remains a rumor.
One nonprofit organization that helps fund Democratic candidates is called ActBlue.
ActBlue is a nonprofit organization and fundraising platform founded in 2004, primarily designed to help Democratic candidates, progressive organizations, and nonprofits raise money online from small-dollar donors.
It operates as a political action committee (PAC) under U.S. federal law but functions as a conduit, meaning it processes individual contributions and directs them to the designated recipients rather than making donations itself.
As of June 2024, ActBlue has raised over $13.7 billion for Democratic causes since its inception. It consists of three entities: ActBlue (the PAC for political fundraising), ActBlue Charities (for 501(c)(3) nonprofits), and ActBlue Civics (for 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations).
Critics allege shadowy operatives or foreign actors might exploit it, but officially, its users are Democratic campaigns, progressive groups, and their supporters. The platform’s scale—$1 billion raised in 2019 alone—underscores its dominance in left-leaning fundraising, contrasting with Republican efforts like WinRed, which has raised less but follows a similar model.
Another question that could be harder to answer, in the next election of 2028, will the Democratic party pay people to vote for them? Is it legal? The short answer is no. But with the correct legislation, anything is possible.
The campaign’s focus on change and community power suggests a long-term vision—one that’s less about filling seats with paid bodies and more about igniting a movement, paid by money or not shall be seen.
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