Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) appeared on CNN for a televised town hall on Wednesday night during which he scolded the cable network and primetime host Anderson Cooper for what he says is their failure to adequately cover problems with the nation’s health care system.
The exchange between host Cooper and the socialist lawmaker and former presidential candidate unfolded as Sanders addressed pressing topics such as health care and access to prescription drugs.
As Cooper attempted to steer the discussion toward audience questions, Sanders refused to move on.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) appeared on CNN for a televised town hall on Wednesday night.
CNN
“I know you do [want to move on and take audience questions], but I want to talk about…,” Sanders began, before being interrupted.
“I know,” Cooper replied, trying to maintain the pace of the event.
At that moment, Sanders turned his attention directly to both Cooper and the network itself, using the opportunity to air longstanding grievances with mainstream media coverage.
“No, I want to … you know, sometimes these issues about health care, about income and wealth inequality are not talked about in the corporate media,” Sanders said.
“And it’s time that we did talk about them. That’s why the question a moment ago, why are people losing faith in the American system? We don’t talk about it on CNN. We don’t talk about it in Congress.”
“It’s because [working-class Americans] understand that a handful of billionaires exert enormous influence, and that has got to change,” Sanders said.
Sanders took a jab at CNN and host Anderson Cooper for not devoting enough air time to discuss health care and income inequality.
CNN
“So when I’m running around the country with Alexandria [Ocasio-Cortez] and other people, what we are trying to do is demand that working-class people begin to stand up and fight for their rights.”
Highlighting America’s lack of universal health care and paid family and medical leave, Sanders pointed out troubling statistics about poverty among children and seniors in the US.
“There is no reason we should be the only major country not to have health care, not to have paid family and medical leave. Et cetera. Why?” he asked.
As Cooper attempted to steer the discussion toward audience questions, Sanders refused to move on.
CNN
“We have the highest rate of childhood poverty. Almost any major country. Twenty-two percent of our seniors are living on $15,000 a year. Anybody here think that makes sense?”
“No,” a voice from the audience responded.
“All right, it doesn’t,” Sanders affirmed. “But you’ve got to get CNN to talk about these issues. You’ve got to get your members of Congress to talk about these issues.”
Sanders used the opportunity to air longstanding grievances with mainstream media coverage.
CNN
The audience responded with applause, but Cooper quickly interjected, attempting to push back.
“We’re literally talking about it right now,” he said.
“Yeah, but I’m forcing you to talk about it, Anderson!” Sanders fired back, drawing laughter and cheers from the crowd.
