Sanders fans lambaste Trump with chicken meme after debate cancellation

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a rally on Friday in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a rally on Friday in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Chicken Trump has hatched.

Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump was ruthlessly mocked Saturday morning for pulling out of a debate with Democratic hopeful Bernie Sanders the day before.

Sanders supporters vented their frustrations with the brash “tell it like it is” billionaire, suggesting he’s too scared to debate the Vermont senator despite his tough-guy persona and braggadocio.

#ChickenTrump quickly went viral.

A representative from Trump’s campaign was not immediately available for comment.

On Friday, Trump pulled out of the anticipated faceoff, saying it would be inappropriate for him to debate the Democratic contest’s “second-place finisher.”

Trump had previously expressed interest in the idea, but only if money was raised for women’s health issues or similar charity causes. He accused major news networks of only being interested in raking in cash and not in generously supporting any such cause.

“Therefore, as much as I want to debate Bernie Sanders — and it would be an easy payday — I will wait to debate the first-place finisher in the Democratic Party, probably Crooked Hillary Clinton, or whoever it may be,” Trump said in a statement.

Clinton, the likely Democratic presidential nominee, has been turning her focus toward the general election and declined a Fox News invitation to debate Sanders ahead of the primary in California, where the Democratic contenders are neck and neck in polls.

The idea of Sanders debating Trump instead picked up steam after both politicians spoke favorably of it on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” earlier this week.

During a campaign stop in Los Angeles Friday, Sanders was asked for his reaction to the news that Trump no longer wanted to debate him.

“I hope he changes his mind again. Mr. Trump is known to change his mind many times in a day,” Sanders told reporters. “Trump goes around and he’s a bully. He’s a big tough guy. Well, Mr. Trump, what are you afraid of? Why do you not want to see a debate here in California and obviously all across this country?”