New Delhi, April 7 -- Senator Bernie Sanders has issued a stark warning about the state of American democracy, saying the country is facing a level of danger "unprecedented" in his lifetime.

"We are a nation that is moving rapidly toward oligarchy," Sanders told CBS News. "Which means that we have a government run by the billionaire class, for the billionaire class."

Sanders, 83, pointed to growing inequality, corporate influence, and political apathy as symptoms of a deep democratic crisis.

Pressed on whether the danger is more urgent today, Sanders didn't hesitate.

"I think there is," he said. "And in many ways, I suppose, you can thank Elon Musk and Trump for that."

Sanders expressed deep concern over the influence of billionaire ...