Democrat billionaireTom Steyer is drawing fireafter appearing at a May Day rally in East San Jose alongside a well-known labor leader, where he was labeled a “class traitor,” and embraced for it.
Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, president of the California Federation of Labor,highlighted the moment on X, writing: “When @TomSteyer shows up to your ‘Workers Over Billionaires’ May Day Rally in East San Jose, you ask him to wear the shirt. And he does! #ClassTraitor.”
The optics of a billionaire donning anti-billionaire messaging quickly ignited criticism online, with detractors blasting both Steyer and organized labor for what they see as political opportunism.
Some users pointed to Steyer’s failed 2020 Democratic presidential bid, noting he “wasted millions of dollars and couldn’t last one presidential democrat primary in South Carolina,” adding that he dropped out before Pete Buttigieg and Kamala Harris.
Others accused him of trying to “buy his way into political office” and suggested labor groups were aligning with him for financial backing.
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Critics also questioned his policy positions, claiming he has reversed course on single-payer healthcare and warn his leadership could worsen California’s high costs.One commenter dismissed the rally moment as empty symbolism: “putting on a slogan shirt is all it takes to fool you.”
The backlash comes as progressive group Our Revolution, founded by Sen. Bernie Sanders, endorsed Steyer’s gubernatorial bid despite its anti-billionaire stance.
The organization defended the move, stating on its website: “Yes, Tom Steyer is a billionaire. But it matters what he is doing with that power.”
Another user commented on the departure of wealthy residents from California, posing the question, “Where are the workers supposed to work with all the billionaires fleeing the state?”
Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos
