Bernie Sanders gets booed as he mentions Trump while introducing Clairo at Coachella

INDIO, CALIFORNIA: Senator Bernie Sanders had a curious experience when he mentioned the name of President Donald Trump while introducing Clairo prior to her performance at Coachella on Saturday, April 12. 

The senator from Vermont, and the longest-serving independent in US congressional history, took the stage on Saturday, where he was found urging the predominantly young crowd to fight for economic, social, and racial justice of the country for a better future. 

But as the 83-year-old mentioned Trump in the middle of the speech, he was met with loud boos from the crowd.

Coachella crowd boos as Bernie Sanders mentions Donald Trump

Bernie Sanders made a surprise appearance at the Coachella on Saturday, where he delivered an intense speech urging the young people to fight for the future of the country. 

As he was introducing musician Clairo for her set, Sanders was also joined by Rep Maxwell Frost, who represents Florida’s 10th Congressional District.

Taking the stage, the Ermont senator said, “I wanted to thank Clairo for allowing me to get up here and to thank this guy, you may or may not know him, but Maxwell Frost, he’s a member of the United States Congress, the youngest and in my view one of the best members."

Sanders continued to put forward his cause, as he said, “I’m not going to be long but this is what I want to say. This country faces some very difficult challenges, and the future of what happens to America is dependent upon your generation.”

“Now you can turn away and you can ignore what goes on but if you do that, you do it at your own peril,” added the veteran politician.

“We need you to stand up, to fight for justice. To fight for economic justice, social justice, and racial justice," Sanders urged.

However, when the historically left-leaning independent mentioned Trump, the crowd did not like it and erupted in loud jeers. 

“Now we got a president of the United States,” said Sanders, as he was met with boos. 

“I agree,” continued Sanders, and added, “He thinks that climate change is a hoax. He is dangerously wrong and you and I are going to have to stand up to the fossil fuel industry and tell them to stop destroying this planet," per Newsweek.

“All over this country, not in California or Vermont from where I’m from, but Florida, where Maxwell is from and other states. Politicians are trying to take away a woman’s right to control her own body. We need you to stand up and fight for women’s rights,” said Sanders, before adding, “We have an economy today that is working very well for the billionaire class but not for working families.”

He then asked the audience to come forward to secure the future as he asked, “We need you to help us to create an economy that works well for everybody, not just the one percent. We have a healthcare system that is broken. We are the only major country not to guarantee healthcare to all people. We need you to stand up to the insurance companies and the drug companies and understand that healthcare is a human right.”

Sanders took his cause to social media as well. He penned a note later on his X account, urging the young generation to come forward to fight climate change. 

“Thank you, Coachella. I enjoyed introducing the great Clairo tonight. These are tough times. The younger generation has to help lead in the fight to combat climate change, protect women’s rights, and build an economy that works for all, not just the few,” wrote the Vermont senator. 

Bernie Sanders praises Clairo for her 'great work'

In his introduction to Clairo, the Senator-turned-climate activist praised the 26-year-old Grammy-nominated artist for her advocacy of political issues, including women's and LGBTQ+ rights.

Elsewhere in his speech, Sanders said, "I'm here because Clairo has used her prominence to fight for women's rights, to try to end the terrible, brutal war in Gaza where thousands of women and children are being killed."

He continued, "I want to thank Clairo not only for being in a great band but for the great work she's doing."

Clairo has been quite vocal about her political opinions. In October 2023, she signed the Artists4Ceasefire open letter, calling for an end to the conflict in the Middle East, and stirred controversy with her post slamming Trump on his Inauguration Day in January, per Variety.