Bernie Sanders: Trumpism Is About Making Successful People Even More Successful, A Working Stiff Is Entitled To Nothing
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) appeared on MSNBC’s “All In With Chris Hayes” to discuss the “Big, Beautiful Bill” and what it would mean for Medicaid.
CHRIS HAYES, HOST: Yes, exactly. Well, I’m explaining for the viewer, not for you. But — but point being, that should — should those expire, which they’re set to, and I don’t think they’re going to re-up, that’s another 5 million people. Like, there’s other attacks on the system they’re doing that are getting less attention. But that’s another 5 million people according to that CBO report today. SEN. BERNIE SANDERS: It’s absolutely — it is beyond — it’s totally unconscionable. And to do that, in order to give massive tax breaks to people today on the top who have never, ever had it so good, is beyond cruel. It is really almost unspeakable. But you know what, Chris? I mean, this whole issue touches on what Trumpism is really about. If you think about it, what Trumpism is about is, you know, when he goes to Saudi Arabia and he loves this guy MBS, who is a murderer, killed a Washington Post journalist. But he’s — he’s rich and he can make a deal with him. But what this is all about is that if you’re rich in America and you can make campaign contributions, you are entitled to massive tax breaks because you’re superhuman beings. But if you’re a poor working stiff going out, you’re working at McDonald’s, you’re working in a factory, you’re struggling to put food on the table, hey, you are entitled to nothing. We’re going to cut not only health care in this bill, massive cuts in nutrition for kids, for elderly people, massive cuts in education, making it harder for kids to be able to attend college. That is what Trumpism is about, for the superior people, the Elon Musks in the world, the people who are successful, we’re going to make them more successful. You’re a working stiff, you’re entitled to nothing. And the other interesting element about this whole thing is, you know, Elon Musk came out against it. See, he was offended that this is going to raise the national debt and he wants more cuts. HAYES: Yeah. SANDERS: This is the richest guy on earth, wants more cuts in nutrition programs for hungry kids, in health care, in education. And what are you saying, which takes you to another outrage in the American system, is obviously he helps fund the Republican Party. So he said, if you don’t go — in so many words, you don’t go along with me, you know what, we’re going to get rid of you. You’re out of office. So much for democracy in the Republican Party. HAYES: Do you think — I was just asking your former colleague, Senator Jon Tester this, I mean, there are people who think the — basically doesn’t cut enough, right? It doesn’t screw people enough on Medicaid or… SANDERS: Right. HAYES: Or SNAP, and are making noises about voting against them. How — how seriously do you take those noises from someone like Ron Johnson? SANDERS: Well, I think Ron is a serious guy. He doesn’t — look, many of these people barely believe in government. (LAUGHTER) SANDERS: I mean, you think I’m exaggerating? I’m not. HAYES: No, it’s… SANDERS: Government is an impediment to… HAYES: Right. SANDERS: … billionaires being able to do what they want. They want to build a factory and pollute a river or a lake? Hey, what is the problem? That’s their right to do that. They want to buy the American political system? Hey, that’s their right. They’re successful. So people like Johnson, you know, believe very strongly that, you know, with Musk that they want to bring down the national debt. They’re certainly not going to go after the tax breaks for the rich, by the way, 150 billion more for the military, which has not been able to complete a successful audit. They’re not going to go after that. What does it mean? It means they’ll continue their attacks against the working class. HAYES: Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, thanks for making some time for us tonight.
