Donald Trump says he's 'very similar' to Bernie Sanders
Donald Trump got tripped up by a description of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) at a Wednesday night town hall in Charleston, South Carolina when he mistook the Democratic presidential candidate's defining traits for his own.
"The candidate is considered a political outsider by all the pundits. He's tapping into the anger of the voters, delivers a populist message. He believes everyone in the country should have healthcare," Mika Brzezinski, moderator and co-host of MSNBC's Morning Joe, said to Trump. "He advocates for hedge fund managers to pay higher taxes. He's drawing thousands of people at his rallies and bringing in a lot of new voters to the political process, and he's not beholden to any super PAC. Who am I describing?"
"Or of any special interests or any donors," Trump added. "You're describing Donald Trump."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"Actually," Brzezinski replied, "I was describing Bernie Sanders."
"Oh, that's good," Trump replied, before conceding that he and Sanders actually do have some things in common. "There's one thing we're very similar on: He knows that our country is being ripped off big-league — big-league — on trade."
Trump was quick to emphasize the differences between him and the socialist senator, however. "The problem is he can't do anything about it," Trump said. "He doesn't understand what's happening."
Watch the full exchange below. Becca Stanek
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
‘What a corrective to such nonsense’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
TikTok secures deal to remain in USSpeed Read ByteDance will form a US version of the popular video-sharing platform
-
Trump HHS moves to end care for trans youthSpeed Read The administration is making sweeping proposals that would eliminate gender-affirming care for Americans under age 18
-
Trump HHS moves to end care for trans youthSpeed Read The administration is making sweeping proposals that would eliminate gender-affirming care for Americans under age 18
-
Jack Smith tells House of ‘proof’ of Trump’s crimesSpeed Read President Donald Trump ‘engaged in a criminal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election,’ hoarded classified documents and ‘repeatedly tried to obstruct justice’
-
House GOP revolt forces vote on ACA subsidiesSpeed Read The new health care bill would lower some costs but not extend expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies
-
Hegseth rejects release of full boat strike footageSpeed Read There are calls to release video of the military killing two survivors of a Sept. 2 missile strike on an alleged drug trafficking boat
-
Trump vows naval blockade of most Venezuelan oilSpeed Read The announcement further escalates pressure on President Nicolás Maduro
-
Kushner drops Trump hotel project in SerbiaSpeed Read Affinity Partners pulled out of a deal to finance a Trump-branded development in Belgrade
-
Senate votes down ACA subsidies, GOP alternativeSpeed Read The Senate rejected the extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits, guaranteeing a steep rise in health care costs for millions of Americans
-
Abrego García freed from jail on judge’s orderSpeed Read The wrongfully deported man has been released from an ICE detention center