Bernie Sanders Image by Getty Images

Bernie Sanders attacked Donald Trump on Sunday for breaking his promise to end corruption in Washington, D.C. by seating at his inauguration a coterie of wealthy donors.

“I found it somewhat amusing that Mr. Trump, President Trump, was punching the establishment,” the Vermont senator told John Dickerson of CBS’ “Face the Nation.” “But right behind him, sitting in the VIP sections, were billionaire, after billionaire, after billionaire.”

A planning document leaked to the Intercept shows that the inauguration committee gave the best seats at the event to mega-donors like casino mogul Sheldon Adelson, real estate magnate Richard LeFrak and finance industry titan Carl Icahn. Other prime spots were given to friends and family of the president and Vice President Mike Pence.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

Seating at Saturday morning’s church service at the National Cathedral also rewarded of donors. Four dozen of the spots in the pews went to Thomas J. Barrack, Jr., a little known billionaire who headed up the inauguration committee, which fundraised $100 million for the festivities.

Contact Daniel J. Solomon at [email protected] or on Twitter @DanielJSolomon

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount