Coachella fans stunned after Bernie Sanders makes surprise appearance on stage to deliver ‘insane’ speech

Bernie Sanders made a surprise appearance at Coachella 2025 over the weekend, leaving concertgoers and viewers alike completely stunned.  

The 83-year-old activist and senator for Vermont stepped onto the stage on Saturday to call upon the crowd to ‘stand up to fight for justice’ before introducing singer Clairo.

Addressing thousands of fans, Bernie noted the ‘difficult challenges’ ahead and pointed to the war in Gaza, economic and social injustices, and women’s reproductive rights. 

‘This country faces some very difficult challenges,’ he began his bizarre speech.

‘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.

‘We need you to stand up to fight for justice. To fight for economic justice, social justice, and racial justice.’

Turning his attention to President Donald Trump, he continued: ‘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.’

‘All over this country… politicians are trying to take away a woman’s right to control her own body,’ he said. ‘We need you to stand up and fight for women’s rights.

‘We have an economy today that is working very well for the billionaire class, but not for working families. 

‘We need you to help us to create an economy that works well for everybody, not just the one per cent.

‘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.’ 

Following his appearance, Bernie took to X, formerly Twitter, to thank the festival for allowing him to speak.

He wrote: ‘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.’

In a separate post, he said: ‘This country faces some very serious challenges. You can turn away and ignore them. But you do so at your own peril. 

‘Now is the time for all of us to come together in the fight for justice.’

But festivalgoers were shocked by Bernie’s appearance altogether, with many calling it ‘insane.’

Taking to X, one said: ‘Bernie Sanders just spoke on Gaza, women’s rights, global warming etc.. before Clairo’s performance for Coachella. INSANE.’

Agreeing, another said: ‘Insane crossover.’

‘Why is Bernie even there?’ wrote a third.

Someone else shared: ‘This man is everywhere.’

Clairo, real name Claire Cottrill, is a 26-year-old American singer-songwriter. She began posting music on the internet at age 13.