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AOC, Bernie Sanders Urge Masking at “Fighting Oligarchy” Rallies, Sparking Debate
Charlie Kirk Staff
03/15/2025
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) are set to take their “Fighting Oligarchy” rallies to the western United States next week. But ahead of the events, a particular detail has drawn attention: attendees are being advised to wear masks.
Five years after the COVID-19 pandemic, Fox News Digital has confirmed that those registering for events in Denver and Las Vegas are receiving guidance that “masks are advised for all attendees of this event.”
Conservative podcaster Stephen L. Miller shared a post on Friday about the Denver event, leading to widespread speculation online as to why masks would be recommended for an outdoor event in 2025.
Sanders has not responded to inquiries from Fox News Digital regarding the mask guidance.
“Sent from a friend. Bernie’s speaking tour is advising everyone in attendance to wear masks. This is an outdoor event,” Miller wrote in an X post alongside a screenshot of the RSVP.
Many online were quick to mock the decision.
“Still trying the Covid panic politics,” one user commented.
“Was this from the year 2020?” another questioned.
Some, however, had a different theory, with one user suggesting, “They don’t want the paid attendees found out.”
The mask guidance has sparked mixed reactions, with many questioning the necessity of face coverings so long after the pandemic. Others speculated that the masks may be intended to conceal attendees’ identities, a tactic commonly used during large demonstrations, such as recent pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University.
However, the “Fighting Oligarchy” rallies are not protests. Similar events in Michigan and Wisconsin last weekend followed the format of traditional campaign rallies, with thousands lining up to attend.
Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez announced the upcoming West Coast stops in a video on Friday, stating that they will visit Nevada, Arizona, and Colorado to “hold town meetings with working people who are profoundly disgusted with what is going on in Washington, D.C.”
“Nevada, Colorado, Arizona: You deserve public servants who show up for you. The time is now to protect the public good, advance healthcare and living wages for all, and fight against corruption. See you next week,” Ocasio-Cortez said on Friday.
The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has advised against town halls due to a rise in protest disruptions from Democrats opposed to President Donald Trump’s second term.
Meanwhile, Gov. Tim Walz (D-Minn.) has launched his own series of town halls in Republican-held districts, stating that if a GOP representative refuses to meet with constituents, he will “lend a megaphone” to them.
Additionally, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) has announced a coordinated effort alongside the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), the Association of State Democratic Committees (ASDC), and state Democratic parties to host town halls in Republican districts.
“Republicans in Congress know they sold out their voters by backing the Trump-Musk agenda – and now they’re terrified to be in the same room as the people who sent them to Washington,” DNC Chair Ken Martin said on Friday.
“Instead of facing their constituents, they’re running scared and hiding from the people they were elected to represent. If they won’t talk to their own voters, then Democrats will. That’s why we’ll be hosting People’s Town Halls in all 50 states across the country, starting now with vulnerable GOP-held target districts. Working families deserve to have their voices heard, even if Republicans want to ignore them,” Martin added.
The NRCC has dismissed the disruptions at Republican town halls as “manufactured productions.” Last month, Fox News Digital reported on a coordinated effort by progressive groups to protest the Department of Government Efficiency.
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