Bernie Sanders tells Trevor Noah why he's going on Fox News, vows to release his tax returns 'shortly'

Bernie Sanders talks with Trevor Noah on The Daily Show — (Image credit: Screenshot/The Daily Show)

In 2016, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) was the insurgent revolutionary for the Democratic presidential nomination. On Thursday's Daily Show, Trevor Noah asked him how it's different entering this year's contest as a frontrunner. Four years ago his ideas were thought to be "radical," Sander said, but now they're "supported by a majority of the American people." "So then you're done — why run?" Noah joked. Sanders laughed and said someone needs to take on the "incredibly powerful establishment."

Noah asked how Sanders responds to concerns about old white men in a historically diverse field. "I believe the American people have to make that decision, nobody else makes it," Sanders replied. "You're not going to hear me disparaging other candidates," but it's "appropriate" to look at which candidates stood for progressive principals at what time. "You're basically saying people have jumped on but you're the O.G. of this idea," Noah translated.

Sanders said he's doing a town hall on Fox News because he was treated fairly by Fox News anchor "Britt" Baier in 2016, and "to me it is important to distinguish Fox News from the many millions of people who watch Fox News. And I think it is important to talk to those people and say, 'You know what, I know that many of you voted for Donald Trump, but he lied to you'" and "betrayed the working class." But Sanders isn't going into the situation blindly, he added. "Trust me, I know Fox News."

Article continues below

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

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.

Noah brought up tax returns, suggesting in half-jest that since both Sanders and President Trump won't release them, "there's probably secrets on both sides. My theory is, Trump doesn't want us to know he's not a billionaire, and you don't want us to know that you are. So, are we going to see your tax returns?" "You sure are," Sanders said, laughing. "We will make them all public very shortly," sometime after April 15. Watch below. Peter Weber

Explore More

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.