Bernie Sanders backs California ‘billionaire tax’ in occasion
Sen. Bernie Sanders didn’t maintain a lot again in displaying his help for California’s proposed ‘Billionaire Tax’ poll at an occasion within the Golden State.
“Beginning proper right here in California these billionaires are going to study we’re nonetheless dwelling in a democratic society the place the individuals have the ability,” Sanders mentioned to the group Wednesday. “By no means earlier than in American historical past have we seen the type of greed, vanity and ethical turpitude.”
The impartial senator from Vermont took the stage in Los Angeles at The Wiltern, an Artwork Deco theater, addressing a crowd of 1,500 to rally help for the “California Billionaire Tax Act,” a 2026 poll initiative designed to lift an estimated $100 billion over 5 years to offset looming federal healthcare cuts.
“Make billionaires pay their share” was the theme of the night as unions kicked off their marketing campaign. Sanders mentioned it was time for “our nation to lastly confront a grotesque degree of earnings and wealth inequality.”
“We’re taking a look at a second in historical past the place by no means earlier than have so few individuals had a lot wealth and a lot energy.”
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Yellow and blue indicators studying “Help Public Training,” “Meals Safety Is Healthcare,” and “Billionaire Tax Now: Vote Sure 11/3/26” flooded the auditorium.
Healthcare staff within the viewers wore their white coats, whereas others donned white T-shirts that includes a blue California map and the slogan “Tax the Billionaires.”
The proposal would impose a one-time 5% tax on billionaires, Sanders known as it an “emergency” step to help well being care staff within the state.
Governor Newsom is in opposition of the tax, and has warned that such a tax may create a short-term windfall however result in long-term income losses if high-net-worth residents relocate.
Sanders additionally known as out Google Founder Sergey Brin and Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg throughout his handle, and talked about Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Tesla firms for not paying a share honest in taxes.
At the same time as he fights to tax billionaires, Sanders himself racked up greater than $550,000 in 2025 on personal jet journey throughout his “Preventing Oligarchy” tour with lefty Rep. Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez, in line with 2026 FEC filings. The posh flights allowed the duo to hit dozens of rallies throughout the nation, however critics say the jets conflict with Sanders’ populist message — one which was on full show within the Golden State.
The Sanders occasion was headlined by Rage In opposition to the Machine guitarist and songwriter Tom Morello, who fired up the group with a fiery pro-union message.
“My identify is Tom Morello, and I’m a union man,” he mentioned, noting that his mom was a union instructor.
Latest surveys present roughly 60% of possible voters in California help a wealth tax on billionaires, whilst a majority acknowledge it may immediate some companies or entrepreneurs to go away the state.
The flight of the extremely‑rich is already underway: not less than six California billionaires — together with Google’s Larry Web page and Meta’s Zuckerberg — are chopping ties with California. Larry Ellison has additionally quietly snagged up Nevada estates as tech titans flee excessive taxes.
