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Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, having recently secured his fourth consecutive six-year term, reiterated his stance that the Democratic Party lacks genuine appeal to working-class citizens. Appearing on CNN's "State of the Union" and NBC's "Meet the Press," Sanders responded to criticisms following his statement issued after President-elect Trump's decisive victory over Vice President Harris in the 2024 presidential election.

Sanders, an Independent who caucuses with the Senate Democrats, did not mince words during his interviews. "It should come as no great surprise that a Democratic Party which has abandoned working class people would find that the working class has abandoned them," he remarked. His blunt assessment drew a pointed rebuttal from Rep. Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, who countered his claims on "The Interview" podcast with The New York Times.

Pelosi defended her party, citing achievements under President Biden, such as the rescue package, economic aid to citizens, efforts to get children back to school safely, and measures to boost employment. She juxtaposed these accomplishments with what she described as Trump's sole legislative achievement: a tax cut benefiting the wealthiest Americans.

Addressing Pelosi's comments on NBC with Kristen Welker, Sanders acknowledged Pelosi as a friend but stuck to his critique. He pointed to the Senate's inaction over the last two years on several key issues, including raising the minimum wage to a living wage, easing the process for workers to join unions, discussing benefit pension plans for a secure retirement, and extending the solvency of Social Security.

"Bottom line, if you're a working person out there, do you really think that the Democratic Party is going to the max, taking on powerful special interests and fighting for you? I think the overwhelming answer is no," Sanders declared. He emphasized the widespread frustration among working-class Americans, highlighting significant economic disparities and systemic issues.

Sanders criticized the concentration of wealth among the top 1%, the lack of guaranteed healthcare, the high rate of childhood poverty, and the widening wealth gap. He also blasted the campaign finance system, which he believes allows billionaires to buy elections, further disenfranchising average workers striving for a better future.

In a final jab aimed at Trump, Sanders disputed the former president's narrative that immigration was to blame for working-class struggles. Instead, Sanders attributed the challenges to "an unprecedented level of corporate greed" and income inequality. He called for an agenda focused on confronting powerful special interests and reforming the political system to benefit the working class, stressing the need to overturn the Citizens United Supreme Court decision to curb the influence of big money in politics.