• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

As Big Tech showers employees with perks to win the talent war, Nvidia built a nearly $5 trillion company by making people pay for their own lunch

2

MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year

3

Current price of oil as of July 1, 2026

1

As Big Tech showers employees with perks to win the talent war, Nvidia built a nearly $5 trillion company by making people pay for their own lunch

2

MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year

3

Current price of oil as of July 1, 2026
Leadership

Bernie Sanders Has Lost Control of His Political Revolution

By
Sam Frizell
Sam Frizell
,
Charlotte Alter
Charlotte Alter
, and
TIME
TIME
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Sam Frizell
Sam Frizell
,
Charlotte Alter
Charlotte Alter
, and
TIME
TIME
Down Arrow Button Icon
July 26, 2016, 10:12 AM ET
Democratic National Convention Day One
Former Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders (D-VT) takes the stage on the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA, on July 25, 2016. (Photo by Riccardo Savi) *** Please Use Credit from Credit Field ***Riccardo Savi — Sipa USA/AP
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

It was supposed to be the night the Democratic Party finally exorcised its demons. Instead, on a sultry, hot day in Philadelphia, the long-simmering disillusionment of Bernie Sanders supporters erupted into anger. And not even the Senator himself could calm them.

A day of protests, booing and open dissent on Monday at the Democratic convention threatened to derail the party’s moment in the spotlight, exposing the fault lines that have divided the Democrats throughout the contentious primary between Sanders and Hillary Clinton. Inside the DNC convention hall, Sanders’ delegates shouted “Bernie! Bernie!” booed Clinton surrogates and even briefly broke into the “Lock Her Up!” chant favored by Donald Trump supporters.

One thing became clear: Sanders, who has spent the past 15 months condemning a “rigged system” and lambasting Clinton’s Establishment credentials, has conjured a spirit of resentment that he can’t dispel. He succeeded in creating a political revolution, but like many revolutionaries, he may have lost control of it.

[fortune-gallery id=”1747121″]

When Sanders took the stage at the end of the night, the crowd was standing for well over two minutes, and some supporters burst into tears as he spoke. “I understand that many people here in this convention hall and around the country are disappointed about the final results of the nominating process,” Sanders told an emotional crowd. But, he said, “Hillary Clinton must become the next President of the United States.”

Even as he implored his supporters to back Clinton, some delegates responded by saying, “We want Bernie!”

“It’s not about Bernie, it’s about the movement,” said California delegate Nancy Kim, who does not plan to vote for Clinton even after Sanders’ enthusiastic endorsement. “It’s about us, it’s not about one man. It doesn’t matter what he thinks. We’re not going to give in and bow down to the Establishment.”

Still, Sanders sought to corral his supporters. “Our job now is to see that platform implemented by a Democratic Senate, a Democratic House and a Hillary Clinton presidency,” Sanders said. “And I am going to do everything I can to make that happen.”

Throughout the day, his campaign fought to control its rambunctious delegations, sending texts to supporters urging them to tow the line. “Our credibility as a movement will be damaged by booing, turning of backs, walking out or other similar displays,” Sanders said in a text to his delegates. “We want the party to unify to elect Hillary Clinton and defeat Donald Trump,” Sanders campaign manager Jeff Weaver said in a brief interview. “I think emotions are running high right now, but as time goes by it’ll begin to calm down.”

There were some moments of unity in the night. In an effort to quell unrest, the Democratic Party lined up a slate of liberal party leaders to speak on the first night, including Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren and Representative Raúl Grijalva, as well as bridge-builders such as First Lady Michelle Obama and Senator Al Franken. Comedian and Sanders supporter Sarah Silverman told the crowd she would vote for Hillary “with gusto.” At a high point in the evening, Paul Simon—whose song “America” was used to great effect in a Sanders ad — appeared to sing “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”

But after the hack of the Democratic Party’s emails revealed what many Sanders supporters had long suspected — that the Democratic Party favored Clinton over Sanders — the dissent was difficult to contain. Many felt their votes had been stolen by a “rigged” party system, and one Sanders delegate even wore a piece of white tape over her mouth bearing the word “silenced.”

When Democratic delegates walked into the convention, they were jeered by an angry crowd yelling chants about the DNC leak: “The DNC is rotten! They lied to us!” one man said, and “Shame on the DNC!” “Bernie beats Trump!” chanted groups of others, in reference to general-election polls that showed Sanders ahead of Trump in hypothetical matchups.

Other Bernie-or-Bust protesters around Philadelphia also made it clear they had no intention of falling in line behind Clinton. Supporters gathered and shouted in front of city hall in near-100-degree weather on Monday, holding hand-made signs and carrying a massive inflatable joint emblazoned with the words, “Berned by the DNC.” One supporter risked heatstroke by wearing a onesie printed with Sanders’ face; another went nude from the waist up except for her nipple pasties, which were shaped like pot leaves.

Indianapolis artist Michael Sparks has a “Bernie Sanders” tattoo on one side of his head and a “Jill Stein” tattoo on the other side. He sees the choice between Clinton and Trump as “four years of a buffoon vs. eight years of a genocidal warmonger.” And the threat of a Trump presidency isn’t enough to sway his vote. Sparks doubts Trump will actually deport Muslims or immigrants, and argues that if he’s elected, it will be a “suitable payback for what the DNC has done to voters like me.”

Bernie Sanders react as they listen to him speak during the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia
Supporters of Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) react as they listen to him speak.Rick Wilking — Reuters

As his supporters marched across the city, Sanders struggled to maintain control of his delegates. In shirtsleeves on a hot afternoon before the convention officially began, he repeated his endorsement of Clinton and was angrily shouted down. “We have got to defeat Donald Trump, and we have got to elect Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine,” Sanders said, spurring a long and angry response from his delegates. “We want Bernie!” the crowd chanted. During his prime-time speech, some of his supporters repeated the chant. His wife Jane Sanders admitted their influence over their supporters was limited. “Well, I don’t think we’ve ever had control over our supporters nor have we ever tried,” she said in an interview with NBC.

That lack of control has some Clinton delegates worried that vehement Sanders supporters could throw the election to Trump. “Trump is using some of the negativity Bernie Sanders used against Hillary, and now Bernie supporters are doing the same thing,” says Bobbie Jean Anderson, a Clinton delegate from California. “I get frightened. I have nightmares that I wake up and Trump is President.”

Sanders has undoubtedly had the same fears, and for months has told his supporters that the most important aim in November is to defeat Trump. “It is no secret that Hillary Clinton and I disagree on a number of issues. That’s what this campaign has been about. That’s what democracy is about,” Sanders told the audience in the convention center. “Hillary Clinton will make an outstanding President, and I am proud to stand with her here tonight.” He vowed to campaign against Trump in the fall, saying he would badly damage the country.

Still, the foot soldiers were unconvinced.

“Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad could appear before a burning bush and hand me a stone tablet with lightning and everything that said ‘Vote for Hillary,’ and I would choose hell because it’s the same thing,” said Brian Seligman, a delegate from California and former U.S. Marine and computer engineer. “I’m not voting for her.”

This article originally appeared on Time.com.

About the Authors
By Sam Frizell
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
By Charlotte Alter
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
By TIME
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Leadership

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Leadership

Mark Zuckerberg, wearing a white shirt, smiles. He is standing in front of a crowd.
SuccessMark Zuckerberg
Mark Zuckerberg feeds his cows macadamia nuts and beer to create the ‘highest-quality beef in the world’ on his $300 million estate in Hawaii
By Sasha RogelbergJuly 2, 2026
2 hours ago
Chris Hulatt co-founder of Octopus Group
SuccessHow I made my first million
A 2-year taste of the office was enough to make 3 grads quit. Now they run a $13.2 billion investment firm: ‘We didn’t want a traditional job again’
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJuly 2, 2026
3 hours ago
Woman taking photo in scenic landscape
Successlifestyle
Americans are escaping the U.S. for New Zealand where house prices have hit a new low—but only wealthy Americans with $3 million spare can invest
By Emma BurleighJuly 2, 2026
4 hours ago
Jason Lemkin
Successwork-life balance
This investor won’t back startups unless staff are in the office 6 days a week: ‘Not because I don’t have empathy, because they’re going to fail’
By Preston ForeJuly 2, 2026
5 hours ago
The true cost of Donald Trump’s $2.2 billion year
NewslettersCEO Daily
The true cost of Donald Trump’s $2.2 billion year
By Diane BradyJuly 2, 2026
9 hours ago
Today, Emily Blunt is worth $80 million thanks to her Hollywood career—but she actually wanted to be a UN Spanish translator on $80K
SuccessCareers
Today, Emily Blunt is worth $80 million thanks to her Hollywood career—but she actually wanted to be a UN Spanish translator on $80K
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJuly 2, 2026
12 hours ago

Most Popular

As Big Tech showers employees with perks to win the talent war, Nvidia built a nearly $5 trillion company by making people pay for their own lunch
Big Tech
As Big Tech showers employees with perks to win the talent war, Nvidia built a nearly $5 trillion company by making people pay for their own lunch
By Marco Quiroz-GutierrezJuly 1, 2026
2 days ago
MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year
Success
MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year
By Sydney LakeJune 25, 2026
8 days ago
Current price of oil as of July 1, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of July 1, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJuly 1, 2026
1 day ago
Trump got a $78K pension from the Screen Actors Guild in 2025 because he appeared in Home Alone 2 in 1992
Politics
Trump got a $78K pension from the Screen Actors Guild in 2025 because he appeared in Home Alone 2 in 1992
By Sasha RogelbergJuly 1, 2026
1 day ago
CEO of $248 billion cybersecurity company says workers are about to face a ‘Darwinian moment’ thanks to AI: Evolve or get cut
Success
CEO of $248 billion cybersecurity company says workers are about to face a ‘Darwinian moment’ thanks to AI: Evolve or get cut
By Emma BurleighJuly 1, 2026
1 day ago
Philanthropy leader at Warren Buffett and Bill Gates’ Giving Pledge says children of billionaires are pushing them to give their wealth away faster
Success
Philanthropy leader at Warren Buffett and Bill Gates’ Giving Pledge says children of billionaires are pushing them to give their wealth away faster
By Preston ForeJune 27, 2026
5 days ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.