Bernie slams ‘dictator’ Trump’s RNC speech, but Sanders supporters split
Bernie Sanders got a few mentions during presidential nominee Donald Trump’s speech at the Republican National Convention on Thursday but, as he sat and watched events unfold from his living room, the former presidential candidate was not impressed.
#RNCwithBerniepic.twitter.com/x5nuSI6AuN
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) July 22, 2016
"Nobody knows the system better than me, which is why I alone can fix it,” Trump said in his nomination acceptance speech. “I have seen firsthand how the system is rigged against our citizens, just like it was rigged against Bernie Sanders – he never had a chance.”
READ MORE: ‘I am your voice!’: Trump vows to put 'America first’ in RNC nomination acceptance speech
"But his supporters will join our movement, because we will fix his biggest issue: trade. Millions of Democrats will join our movement because we are going to fix the system so it works for all Americans," he added.
Using the hashtag #RNCwithBernie, the Democrat who recently endorsed his former rival Hillary Clinton, live-tweeted his disgust at the speech, chiefly Trump’s blatant efforts to co-opt his supporters.
Our movement understands that what we don't need is Trump's huge tax breaks for millionaires. #RNCwithBernie
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) July 22, 2016
Trump thinks climate change is a “hoax.” My supporters understand that we must move away from fossil fuels, not expand them. #RNCwithBernie
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) July 22, 2016
Sanders did not hold back on Instagram either, maintaining that his supporters would not follow Trump’s “bigotry and divisiveness”, and even compared him to a “dictator.”
Trump: “I alone can fix this.”
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) July 22, 2016
Is this guy running for president or dictator? #RNCwithBernie
Elements of Trump’s speech saw him softening towards the middle ground as he reached out to supporters of Sanders. But die-hard fans of the Democrat were having none of it.
If Trump thinks that Bernie folks would vote 4 a fascist than he knows NOTHING about what we stand for. Get Bernie's name out of your mouth.
— Linda Sarsour (@lsarsour) July 22, 2016
Now Trump is trying to play Bernie Sanders supporters. Won't work. #rnc
— Rachel Sklar (@rachelsklar) July 22, 2016
Silver Lining: I think Trump just unified the Democrats. #RNCwithBernie
— Eliza David, Author (@elizadwrites) July 22, 2016
Meanwhile, some former Sanders supporters praised Trump’s speech, with a number planning to vote tactically in a bid to defeat Clinton.
22%+ of Berners are voting trump. More I'm guessing, just scared to say it publicly. https://t.co/eUzlcIhpe0
— Cassandra Fairbanks (@CassandraRules) July 22, 2016
@CassandraRules@riverracket I'm a Berner who will vote for Trump to defeat Hillary and the DNC. Absolutely.
— Off The Cuff (@jamessayersotc) July 22, 2016
@HillaryClintonpic.twitter.com/91c6L2kH4m
— ex-bernieforTRUMP (@AnsonAlosious) July 21, 2016
Celebrities were also quick to give their opinions on the speech - and they didn’t have many compliments for Trump.
You're right. Trump promotes love. And the ventilation of refugees. https://t.co/blQDMsiwE0
— Rashida Jones (@iamrashidajones) July 22, 2016
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) July 22, 2016
Trump plagiarized his speech from Mein Kampf. #TrumpSpeech#RNCinCLE
— Eric Benet (@ebenet) July 22, 2016
If he loses the election, you will never again have to be yelled at by trump for this long. Do your patriotic duty, America.
— John Legend (@johnlegend) July 22, 2016
I'm flummoxed are we living in a dystopian society? Is this the Hunger games? Am i katniss or rue? Not recognizing the USA described
— octavia spencer (@octaviaspencer) July 22, 2016
