Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is taking aim at President Donald Trump with a sharp critique, accusing him of running what Sanders calls an unusually brazenly self-interested administration. The Vermont senator points to personal and family wealth that he says is directly tied to government power.

The criticism comes alongside Sanders' separate warning that backing higher fossil fuel output during record heat puts the planet and future generations at risk.

Sanders Sharpens Attacks Against Trump

Sanders posted on X that Trump made at least $2.2 billion in his first year back in the White House and is traveling on a $400 million aircraft described as a gift from Qatar.

"As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country, it is important to understand that never before in our history have we had an administration as openly corrupt as Trump's. This is a president who made at least $2.2 billion in his first year back in the White House," Sanders said.

Sanders also cited crypto-related income, noting that Trump's family brought in $1.4 billion last year from cryptocurrency businesses.

"Let's be clear: Trump's administration is not 'America First.' It is 'Trump First,'" he added.

Trump's Financial Gains Amid Controversy

Sanders added that Trump's family received $187 million from the UAE tied to a cryptocurrency firm four days before Trump's inauguration. He also pointed to more than $1.5 billion in taxpayer money approved to support mining deals in Kazakhstan that Sanders said would benefit Trump's family and friends.

Sanders argued that the same "Trump First" mindset shows up in money flows as well as in energy choices, expressing concerns about whether public decisions are being made for national priorities or for private enrichment.

He also used climate impacts to press the case, citing a Washington Post report about Europe's temperature records. "Countries across Europe just saw their hottest spring on record and are now seeing another record heatwave," Sanders wrote, adding that Trump wants more fossil fuels and carbon emissions.

Sanders said Trump was "putting the planet and future generations at risk for the profits of his Big Oil friends."

Other Democrats have aimed their criticism at policy outcomes tied to energy and transportation, including claims that the administration is undoing clean-air efforts.

Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) previously said the White House was "hellbent" on EVs and argued that Trump was "killing EVs and allowing more tailpipe emissions," while pointing to California's clean-air authority being curtailed.

The Rising Heat: Climate Crisis And Oil Politics

Trump has defended rolling back greenhouse gas standards for cars and trucks, calling the earlier approach a "disastrous Obama-era policy" and saying it "severely damaged the American auto industry." Sanders has tied that rollback to his broader argument that profit incentives, not public welfare, are driving key choices.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass) has also linked oil-company gains to the Iran conflict, pointing to executives at firms such as Chevron Corp. (CVX) and noting that CEO Mike Wirth made more than $104 million since the Iran war. California Gov. Gavin Newsom urged residents to avoid Chevron stations, citing concerns about high prices at the pump amid the Iran war.