Senator Bernie Sanders took aim at President Donald Trump’s record on economic inequality in a post ahead of the president’s State of the Union address, highlighting the widening wealth gap in the United States. Sanders drew attention to the contrast between the financial struggles of most Americans and the soaring fortunes of the nation’s wealthiest individuals under Trump’s administration.

At Trump’s State of the Union, do you think he’ll mention the fact that, while 60% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, his billionaire friends saw a $1.5 trillion increase in their wealth in his first year in office?

— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) February 24, 2026

In his post, Sanders asked, “At Trump’s State of the Union, do you think he’ll mention the fact that, while 60% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, his billionaire friends saw a $1.5 trillion increase in their wealth in his first year in office?” The comment underscored a point Sanders has made repeatedly: that economic policies in the current administration disproportionately benefit the ultra-wealthy, while ordinary Americans continue to face financial insecurity.

Sanders’ critique builds on his long-standing warnings about the concentration of power and wealth in the hands of a few. He has frequently warned of a drift toward authoritarianism in American politics, arguing that the nation’s wealthiest individuals wield an outsized influence over policy and public life. In a recent post, Sanders used satire to draw attention to the growing gap between ordinary citizens and the billionaire class.

Let’s have a little sympathy for the struggling billionaire class. pic.twitter.com/iQLRE9iN2F

— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) February 9, 2026

Sanders mocked the notion that billionaires face real hardships, framing the event as a public demonstration of the “difficulties” encountered by individuals like Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Ellison, and Elon Musk. He highlighted the logistical and managerial challenges each billionaire faces, from operating super yachts and managing sprawling family estates to overseeing massive corporations and navigating complex media empires. Sanders also emphasized the legal maneuvers billionaires use to minimize their federal tax liabilities, pointing out that the top 1% avoids paying an estimated $163 billion in federal income taxes annually.

Sanders contrasted his own comparatively modest wealth—he is a three-home-owning millionaire with a net worth of at least $2 million—with the extreme fortunes of the billionaire class, underscoring the disproportionate accumulation of wealth in the United States. He noted that while the top 1% of Americans own more wealth than the bottom 93%, their fortunes increased by $1.5 trillion during Trump’s first year in office, highlighting a harsh imbalance as the majority of Americans continue to live paycheck to paycheck.

WATCH: Socialist millionaire and professional politician Bernie Sanders lists his THREE HOUSES!

"I work in Washington—House 1."

"Live in [Vermont]—House 2."

"I do have a summer cabin—forgive me for that." pic.twitter.com/CEPJi893Iu

— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) February 20, 2020

By combining pointed satire with factual details about billionaire wealth, Sanders framed his comments as both a critique of the current administration and a broader statement about economic inequality in America. His remarks ahead of the State of the Union seek to draw public attention to the growing divide between ordinary Americans and a powerful, ultra-wealthy minority whose resources continue to expand under Trump’s policies.