MSNBC Guest Says Americans Are Too Stupid To Understand Bernie and AOC’s Tour [WATCH]

MSNBC’s Michael Steele expressed skepticism over the weekend regarding the messaging strategy behind Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s (D-NY) recently launched “Fight Oligarchy” tour, arguing the terminology may not resonate with the average American voter.

During a panel discussion, Steele, a former Republican National Committee chairman and current MSNBC contributor, said that while he supports the overall message of the tour, the use of the word “oligarchy” may be ineffective in reaching working-class voters.

“I love the tour, I love the idea,” Steele said. “But it kind of misses middle America. I mean, folks sitting at the local pub aren’t used to the term ‘oligarchy.’”

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The tour, announced last week, includes stops in cities such as Omaha, Nebraska and Denver, Colorado.

According to Sanders’ official website, the event series is aimed at having “real discussions across America on how we move forward to take on the Oligarchs and corporate interests who have so much power and influence in this country.”

Despite its intended focus on economic inequality and corporate power, Steele argued that the framing may not be accessible to everyday Americans.

“It’s what you say when you launch it,” he said. “And if you’re using terms and phraseology that is not directly connecting people, then that becomes a concern in the process.”

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Co-host Symone Sanders-Townsend challenged Steele’s assessment, noting that the tour had in fact launched in middle America. “Okay, wait, but I’m sorry, they’re in middle America,” she said. “He launched a tour in Omaha. They were in Denver.”

Steele responded by reiterating that geography was not the issue, but rather the language being used to promote the tour’s message.

He emphasized the need for simpler, more relatable terms that connect with voters.

MSNBC Senior Washington Correspondent Eugene Daniels joined the conversation and echoed Steele’s concerns about messaging.

“I talked to a bunch of Democrats this week who are happy this tour is happening, just like you,” Daniels said.

“But they agree, they think that the word ‘oligarchy’ is maybe one that they should skip and go with something like ‘corruption’ or something like that. Something that’s clear and there’s a connection there.”

This is HILARIOUS.

Democrats are worried that AOC and Bernie chose too complicated of a word for the Democrat base when they named their “tour.”

Who knew Oligarchy was that confusing LOL pic.twitter.com/F6UVz5lyK1

— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) March 22, 2025

The tour comes as Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez continue to advocate for policies focused on reducing corporate influence in government and promoting economic equity.

Both lawmakers have long criticized what they describe as the concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a small group of elites.

While the political objectives of the tour align with longstanding progressive priorities, some Democratic strategists and commentators suggest that the effectiveness of the tour will depend on how well its message connects with voters in swing states and working-class communities.

The “Fight Oligarchy” tour is expected to continue over the next several weeks, with additional stops to be announced.

Sanders has said he intends to speak directly to voters across the country about what he sees as the threat posed by corporate interests and economic inequality.

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