Bernie Sanders Reaches Breaking Point With AOC Senate Question, Nearly Storms Out of Interview

During a pre-taped interview for ABC’s “This Week,” Senator Bernie Sanders nearly walked off the set after being asked about Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s potential Senate candidacy, the New York Post reports. Host Jonathan Karl inquired whether Sanders would support Ocasio-Cortez joining the Senate, prompting visible frustration from the Vermont senator. Sanders, 83, had just praised Ocasio-Cortez for her progressive efforts but dismissed the question as “nonsense” and unrelated to his priorities.

Sanders responded tensely, “Right now, we have a whole lot of people in Congress. OK, Jonathan, thanks,” before standing up and attempting to end the interview. He further expressed disdain for the question stating, “You wanna do nonsense, do nonsense.”

The question came amid speculation about Ocasio-Cortez potentially challenging Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in 2028, following criticism of Schumer’s support for a GOP-led spending bill. Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez have recently toured together for their “Fighting Oligarchy” rallies, reportedly drawing large crowds across key states.

“I got 32,000 people [at my rallies],” Sanders said.

Despite his initial irritation, Sanders eventually returned to his seat after Karl assured him the next question would focus on Sanders himself. Karl explained to Sanders that he asked about Ocasio-Cortez because she was seen with the Vermont senator in recent rallies.

Sanders stressed “I don’t want to talk about” the Ocasio-Cortez question before agreeing to sit back down and answer Karl’s final inquiry which focused on Sanders’ own future and whether he would consider another run.

“Right now I’m very proud that the people of the state of Vermont sent me back to the Senate with 63% of the vote,” Sanders responded. “I’m Vermont’s senator. That’s what I do. And I’m very happy to do it. I am 83 years of age. And I’m tired.”

The Vermont independent was just reelected last November to a fourth term in the Senate and won’t be up for reelection until 2030, by which time he will turn 89. At the moment, he is the second-oldest senator after Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), 91.

Sanders, an independent senator from Vermont, secured his reelection to a fourth term in the Senate last November. His current term extends until 2030, at which point he will be 89 years old. Currently, at 91 years old, Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is the only senator older than Sanders.