'The Simpsons' Season 32 Episode 3: Baby Bernie Bros' bullying is finally called out
One of the world's most famous — or infamous, depending on who you ask — socialist figures of our times is Senator Bernie Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist. Though he wasn't able to garner enough support to stay in the Presidential race, he's still gathered quite a passionate following, some of whom can be quite toxic and violent. These so-called 'Bernie Bros' tend to give his brand a bad name... though if 'The Simpsons' is to be believed, Bernie secretly welcomes the support, and has, ever since he was a little baby.
In its third episode of Season 32, Lisa Simpson (Yeardley Smith) studies art history by placing her own family members in the roles of several prominent historical figures, putting a classic Simpsons take on history, parody and all. Sanders' name comes up while Lisa is reading through the story of famed anti-capitalist Frida Kahlo while in a meeting with one of her husband's capitalist friends. "Yes, we hate the capitalists," says a Marge Simpson (Julie Kavner) version of Frida Kahlo, adding, "Right now, a young socialist is being born who will take them down. Mr Bernie Sanders."
It's a slight bit of historical inaccuracy there, as Kahlo first visited the States in the 1930s, while Sanders wouldn't be born until 1941. Nevertheless, the show features a baby version of the Vermont Senator, already well wrinkled and white-haired at an early age, in a sandbox, espousing his economic views to a group of playground toddlers. Joining Baby Bernie is a group of similarly aged supporters he calls the "Bernie Babies", ready to threaten and beat down anyone who disagrees with him. Of course, with a wink and a nod, Babie Bernie denies any involvement with them. When his goons get violent, Baby Bernie makes sure it's known that "I disavow that, and welcome it."
For the most part, Bernie Bros have managed to avoid much in the way of real-life violence, but their online attacks have caused concern for a number of politicians, not to mention any voice online tending to criticize Sanders. Though Sanders has disavowed his more toxic supporters, 'The Simpsons' paints a picture of a man willing to accept a certain amount of violence if it helps his campaign, not that it did him much good in the Presidential race, ultimately.
The next episode of 'The Simpsons' airs on October 18 at 8 pm ET on FOX.