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Politics
Apr 13, 2026

Bernie Sanders warns of looming economic crisis as he and NYC mayor launch Union Now to curb billionaire power

AI Summary
At a Manhattan rally, Senator Bernie Sanders warned that the United States faces a worsening economic crisis unless workers unite against a ruling class of billionaires. Partnering with New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani, he unveiled the Union Now campaign to revitalize labor organizing, citing billionaire‑driven automation, a $1.5 trillion surge in billionaire wealth and the need for stronger worker protections.

Senator Bernie Sanders used a Manhattan rally on Sunday to issue a stark warning: “the worst is yet to come” for the U.S. economy unless workers confront a ruling class of billionaires.

Sharing the stage with New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani, the two leaders announced the launch of Union Now, a nationwide drive to boost union density and provide resources for organizing and strikes.

Sanders singled out high‑profile billionaires – Elon Musk (Tesla, SpaceX), Jeff Bezos (Amazon), and President Donald Trump – as the architects of a looming crisis. He warned that Musk’s push for robotics and AI, coupled with Bezos’s recent pledge to raise $100 billion for buying and automating manufacturing firms, threatens to replace human labor on a massive scale.

“Unless we fundamentally transform our economic and political systems, the worst is yet to come,” Sanders declared, emphasizing that increasing union membership is the most effective tool to tackle income inequality.

Mamdani echoed the sentiment, noting that artificial intelligence is “coming for human jobs” and that worker protections are eroding. He pledged his administration’s support for Union Now, describing the effort as essential for safeguarding workers’ rights.

Data presented at the rally underscored the scale of wealth concentration: in 2025, 938 U.S. billionaires saw their net worth rise by $1.5 trillion, while Musk alone possesses more wealth than the bottom 53 % of Americans.

Sanders painted the billionaire class as “extremely greedy” and likened their self‑perception to 19th‑century monarchs who believe they have a divine right to rule. He warned that their unchecked influence could leave future generations without a safety net.

Highlighting a recent political victory, Sanders cited Mamdani’s mayoral win as proof that ordinary people can defeat billionaire‑backed opposition. He warned that if the current trajectory continues, “fewer people will have more wealth and power, democracy will be undermined, and workers will be left with no recourse.”

Closing his speech, Sanders urged unity: “If we stand together and fight for a government that works for all of us, there is nothing we cannot accomplish.”