WASHINGTON (VINnews) — Sen. Bernie Sanders on Thursday accused the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) of attempting to influence Michigan’s U.S. Senate race through massive campaign spending, claiming the group’s efforts amount to “oligarchy” rather than democracy.

In a post on X, the Vermont independent said AIPAC spent $30 million trying to defeat Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed in the primary but was unsuccessful. Sanders alleged the organization now plans to spend “tens of millions more” in the general election.

“This is not democracy,” Sanders wrote. “This is oligarchy and a corrupt billionaire-funded campaign finance system. Fight back.”

AIPAC has not publicly responded to Sanders’ latest comments.

The post is the latest criticism by Sanders of large outside political spending and comes as pro-Israel and other independent groups continue to play a significant role in high-profile congressional races across the country.

AIPAC spent $30 million trying to defeat Abdul El-Sayed in the primary. They lost.

Now, they plan to spend tens of millions more against him in the general election.

This is not democracy. This is oligarchy and a corrupt billionaire-funded campaign finance system.

Fight back.

— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) August 6, 2026