Tipsheet
Premium

Hmm: Bernie Sanders Actually Gave Trump Credit for Something, But Did He Really Mean It?

Guy Benson
Guy Benson  |  March 26, 2025 10:15 AM

Left-wing Senator Bernie Sanders garnered some attention over the weekend when he started to storm off of an interview with ABC's Jonathan Karl.  It was a weird moment.  Sanders seemed to take offense to Karl asking a question about whether Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez should challenge Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in a primary.  The Socialist scolded the journalist for 'doing nonsense' with the inquiry, though it's unclear why he considered it out of bounds.  The Left is in an open mutiny against Schumer over his recent decision not to use a filibuster to shut down the government.  There have been lots of whispers about Bernie's tour co-headliner being urged to try to unseat Schumer.  

In fact, just days ago, she herself made a less-than-subtle reference to the idea in Arizona, during one of her joint events with Sanders:


In any case, during that same exchange with Karl, Sanders was willing to credit Trump on one major front:


This is a politically savvy answer, quite honestly.  But it's cynical.  Trump's approval rating on fighting illegal immigration is strong, and Democrats have generally positioned themselves as out-of-touch extremists on the issue.  To offer some positive reviews, landing where most voters are, is smart.  But Sanders is not some authentic opponent of illegal immigration.  "Nobody things illegal immigration is appropriate," he says now.  But can you spot him here?


And how about here?

Recommended

Pete Hegseth Shakes Up the Military Again Sarah Arnold
Markwayne Mullin Delivers Masterclass on 'Signalgate' During Sunday Show Appearance Rebecca Downs


Last time Bernie Sanders ran for president, not long ago, he pledged to decriminalize illegal border crossings, as well as provide taxpayer-funded healthcare coverage to illegal immigrants.  He clearly doesn't believe illegal immigration is 'inappropriate.'  To the contrary, he actively encourages and incentivizes unlawful migration by promising to reduce penalties for it, and to give illegal immigrants healthcare upon their arrival.  His healthcare plan, by the way, would rip existing coverage away from more than 177 million Americans, forcing everyone into an unresponsive and unaccountable government system, at a cost of trillions per year.  As a reminder, we are already running shocking deficits, before any such multi-trillion-dollar scheme is factored in.  Even after huge tax hikes on every American, this would still be unsustainable.  Consider what we just learned on this exact question in Uber-Left, high-tax California:


Sanders is well aware of this, just as he's aware of what happened in his own home state.  And yet, he's addicted to this terrible policy idea.  Bernie Sanders and his fellow Socialists are not remotely credible opponents of illegal immigration.  They are credible proponents of ruinous government-run healthcare.  I'll leave you with this: