Elon Musk’s once-cordial engagement with U.S. politics has spiraled into a high-profile public clash with progressive icons Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC). In one jaw-dropping turn, Musk unleashed what critics called an “INSANE stunt”—a provocative social media escalation that thrust his feud with the left into the national spotlight, and even energized the grassroots movement he sought to undermine.

 Rising Tensions on the “Fighting Oligarchy” Tour

In early 2025, Sanders and AOC launched their “Fighting Oligarchy” tour—massive rallies in cities like Denver (34,000 attendees) and Los Angeles (36,000 attendees)—aiming to challenge billionaire influence in politics. Sanders boldly declared:

“We’re living at a moment where a handful of billionaires control the economic and political life of our country.”
“Your presence here today is making … Elon Musk very nervous.”

AOC charged that Trump and Musk were “taking a wrecking ball to our country” and promised to “throw these bums out.”

 The Stunt: Musk’s Public Mockery and Media Ambush

Sources report that Musk took to X days later and publicly ridiculed protesters at the Denver rally as “paid organizers,” dismissing the authenticity of the crowds. When Sanders asked the crowd in Los Angeles if they were paid, the response was a resounding “no!” from 36,000 attendees.

Musk’s provocative attempt to deflate the event backfired spectacularly. Posters across right-leaning forums noted:

“Bernie is pissing off Elon Musk … good. If you’re pissing off Musk, you must be doing something right.”

 Musk Doubles Down with Public Relations Theatre

In a bold escalation, Musk posted inflammatory messages on X and gave explosive interviews accusing the progressive duo of orchestrating political theater. Sanders accused Musk of having outsized control over federal policy through DOGE, calling him the de facto power behind Trump’s government reforms.

AOC’s allies later proclaimed Musk’s feud with Trump and alignment with “ultra-wealthy billionaires” confirmed warnings she and Sanders had repeatedly voiced.

 Public Response: Brooks & Backlash

The stunt triggered intense debate online and across media outlets. Reddit commenters applauded AOC and Sanders, saying:

“I think if you’re pissing off Elon Musk, you are doing something right.”
“It’s scaring moderate Dems or Republican Lites… tells you it’s pissing off the right rich donors.”

Left-wing social channels celebrated Sanders and AOC as rightly confronting plutocratic power.

At the same time, some moderate progressives questioned whether Musk’s loud retaliation amplified the event’s message—sparking attention they might not otherwise gain.

 What Musk Did—and Why It Was Viewed as “Insane”

Mocking genuine crowds: Calling large, volunteer-supported rallies “paid” undermined Sanders’ grassroots legitimacy.

Injecting himself into progressive narrative: With posts about DOGE and oligarchy, Musk positioned himself as the political villain—playing into the very rhetoric he intended to discredit.

Creating a media spectacle: The back-and-forth play-by-play on X turned a political moment into viral content—energizing Sanders/AOC supporters nationwide.

What was meant to deflate the movement became brand recognition: Musk’s stunt turned the rallies into headlines.

 Political Fallout & Broader Implications

1. Elevated Progressive Momentum
AOC raised $9.6 million in Q1 2025, the largest fundraising quarter of her career—energized by the tour and the Musk backlash. 
The tour gained traction as evidence that public frustration with billionaires wasn’t fringe.

2. Strategic Framing
Sanders and AOC refined their message: it’s not left vs. right—it’s oligarchs vs. the working class. Musk’s stunt anchored them as grassroots contrast to billionaire influence.

3. Musk’s Political Capital Diminished
While Musk once contributed millions to Republicans like Trump, he now faces progressive condemnation from both Sanders and AOC as emblematic of corporate power.

 Why It Matters

Elon Musk’s “insane stunt” became more than a tweet—it showcased how billionaire statements can backfire when politicians use them as proof points. His attempt to discredit the “Fighting Oligarchy” tour validated its mission instead, drawing attention far bigger than the rallies themselves.

Observers now see Musk’s reaction as a cautionary tale: using dismissive language toward large public gatherings can amplify anger and undermine narratives trying to diminish those groups.

 What’s Next?

Tour Expansion: Sanders and AOC are confirmed for new stops in swing states like Nevada and Pennsylvania. Support is rising—and the momentum continues

Political Pullback: Some Democrats like Senator Cory Booker have firmly rejected Musk’s influence, pledging not to take his donations despite acknowledging shared concerns on issues like deficit spending.

Musk’s positioning: As he distances from campaign spending, Musk may try to avoid further direct engagement—but the narrative framework now sees him more as adversarial than supportive.

 Final Thought

Elon Musk intended to neutralize a political moment with a viral post—but instead elevated it. His stunt gave life to progressive messaging, painted him as a billionaire antagonist, and amplified the very rally he aimed to undermine.

In the age where CEOs and politics collide on social media, Musk’s miscalculation demonstrates the risk: confront populist momentum, and you might just feed it.