Bernie Sanders on Donald Trump Presidency: ‘I Will Be Damned if We’re Gonna Go Backwards’
Bernie Sanders returned to The View on Monday to talk about the 2016 presidential election results and his feelings about President-elect Donald Trump’s abilities to connect with the American people. “Trump touched a nerve on the part of millions of people that media doesn’t often talk about,” Sanders said. “You got a middle class for the last 40 years that has been shrinking. You got millions of people living in extraordinary economic anxiety, saying, ‘What about me? What about me?’ And the Democratic Party hasn’t done a great job making people feel supported.”
Sanders acknowledged that the president-elect does have some policies that he thoroughly agrees with. He said that by getting elected, it was clear that Trump had touched a nerve for those who wanted change in their government. The senator agreed with Trump on issues like job creation, bringing jobs back to the American people from places like China, and raising the minimum wage. But “we’re going to hold him accountable” for his promises and see if he practices what he preaches come Inauguration Day.
Sanders also acknowledged that having Reince Priebus as Trump’s chief of staff is a fairly normal pick, as he is a conservative leader. However, when it comes to Steve Bannon, Trump’s chief strategist, and issues of discrimination, only time will tell.
Sanders noted how the American people have struggled with discrimination, racism, sexism, and homophobia for hundreds of years. He called it “the history of this country” but said hopefully we have made some progress and that he “will be damned if we’re gonna go backwards.” And then Sanders channeled his infectious campaign trail spirit and passionately expressed that as divided as this country feels, there has never been more of a need for Americans to stand united.
The View airs weekdays at 11 a.m. on ABC.
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