Trump lashes out at Fox for hosting Bernie Sanders, says it felt 'weird' watching 'Crazy Bernie' on the network
Democrat 2020 contender Bernie Sanders' favorable reception during his Monday night Town Hall event on Fox News reportedly riled up President Donald Trump.
The Commander-in-Chief tweeted the following morning, "So weird to watch Crazy Bernie on @FoxNews. Not surprisingly, @BretBaier and the "audience" was so smiley and nice. Very strange, and now we have @donnabrazile?"
Sanders took direct questions from the Town Hall audience, many of whom appeared to be his ardent supporters. At one point, Sanders was asked by an audience member whether Democrats are aiding Trump by shifting too far left. In response, Sanders launched a personal attack against the President's character. "Whether you’re conservative or moderate or progressive, I don't think the American people are proud that we have a president who is a pathological liar," he claimed. "Trump cannot even tell the truth as to where his father was born."
The Senator from Vermont shocked Fox viewers across the globe after he received overwhelming support over "Medicare for all".
FOX host Bret Baier later responded to Trump's tweet, saying, "Thanks for watching Mr. President — we’d love to have you on a town hall soon — or even an interview on @SpecialReport —it’s been awhile. We cover all sides."
That said, Sanders did find himself tongue-tied at one point during the town hall event.
Sanders recently made headlines after it was revealed he's a millionaire who has actually benefitted from Trump's tax cuts. In December 2017, Sanders openly admitted with CNN’s Jake Tapper that the tax cuts were not meant to appease the wealthy, but were rather a relief to the middle class. But now, he argues that the tax respite didn't go far enough.
When Baier asked him why he didn't reject those cuts as a leader of the revolution, the Democratic socialist stuttered in his response.
While mainstream outlets are applauding Sanders for dominating a town hall with Fox News, several critics felt otherwise.
"Oh, stop. It’s a town hall event. It’s not a debate. If he didn't dominate, I would be worried about his health," Matt Vespa wrote for Townhall. "It's the candidate on a soapbox for an hour. You bet Bernie dominated, any candidate would, and I would hope that an event would be packed with his…supporters. It's one town hall event. Relax."
Sanders, who became the first Democratic presidential candidate to appear on the network for a town hall event, said it was a way to speak directly to Trump supporters and tell them what a "pathological liar" he was and how he had betrayed working-class Americans. At the same time, the move is essential for Fox News, which has been boycotted by the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and barred from hosting their primary debates.
Speculation has been rife of late that elements within Fox News are turning away from their perceived support for Trump, especially since 21st Century Fox sold off large assets to Disney and assumed a new name — Fox Corp, according to a report by Haaretz.
In late March, CNN reported that former House Speaker Paul Ryan is joining the board of Fox Corp. According to sources at Fox News, the appointment of Ryan and ex-DNC Chairwoman Donna Brazile indicates the network is shifting away from its pro-Trump narrative.
Ryan and media mogul Rupert Murdoch have been friends for a number of years. In 2014, the latter said he had a "particular admiration for" Ryan, the report noted.