Bernie Sanders Torches CNN in Fiery Clash at Network’s Own Town Hall

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) ribbed CNN and moderator Anderson Cooper during the network’s live CNN town hall Wednesday night, unloading on “corporate media” for a failure to cover basic economic realities.

As Sanders discussed healthcare and drug access, Cooper attempted to keep the show moving by saying he wanted to get more questions from the audience.

“I know you do, but I want to talk about…” the senator persisted.

“I know,” Cooper quipped.

Sanders, frustrated, instead turned the spotlight directly on his host — and the network: “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. 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.”

He continued: “It’s because they understand that a handful of billionaires exert enormous influence, and that has got to change. 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. There is no reason we should be the only major country not to have health care, not to have paid family and medical leave. Etcetera. Why? We have the highest rate of childhood poverty. Almost any major country. 22% of our seniors are living on $15,000 a year. Anybody here think that makes sense?”

“No,” someone in the crowd called back.

“All right, it doesn’t,” Sanders added. “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.”

The audience applauded but Cooper cut in: “We’re literally talking about it right now.”

“Yeah, but I’m forcing you to talk about it, Anderson!” Sanders shouted.

Watch above via CNN.