Bernie Sanders hilariously mocks Hillary Clinton for her paid speeches to big banks

(Image credit: MICHAEL B. THOMAS/AFP/Getty Images)

last updated 6 March 2016

Speaking to supporters in Warren, Michigan, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders on Saturday took direct shots at opponent Hillary Clinton.

He attacked Clinton for her super PAC's acceptance of special interest donations, saying that if candidates' claims that special interest funds won't affect their decisions were true, "why would Wall Street be spending $15 million?" He also mocked the former secretary of state for her refusal to release her paid speeches to big banks, including Goldman Sachs, unless every candidate also releases their speeches. "I kind of think if you're going to be paid $225,000 for a speech, it must be a fantastic speech," Sanders said, "a brilliant speech which you would want to share with the American people." He said the remarks must be "Shakespearean" given how much Clinton was paid to deliver them, and said he looks forward to being able to read them.

He also emphasized his populist economic message, saying America's economy is "rigged" and citing the mega-rich Walton family's underpaying of its employees — which requires them to rely on taxpayer-funded programs like food stamps — as an example. "To paraphrase Abraham Lincoln: This is a campaign of the people, by the people, and for the people," he said.