Bernie Sanders wants to work with Donald Trump for the good of the country — but he has his limits. The Vermont senator, 75, reacted to the mogul’s presidential election win over Hillary Clinton in a statement on Wednesday, November 9.
“Donald Trump tapped into the anger of a declining middle class that is sick and tired of establishment economics, establishment politics and the establishment media,” Sanders said in the statement, via Variety. “People are tired of working longer hours for lower wages, of seeing decent-paying jobs go to China and other low-wage countries, of billionaires not paying any federal income taxes and of not being able to afford a college education for their kids — all while the very rich become much richer.”
“To the degree that Mr. Trump is serious about pursuing policies that improve the lives of working families in this country, I and other progressives are prepared to work with him,” he continued. “To the degree that he pursues racist, sexist, xenophobic and anti-environment policies, we will vigorously oppose him.”
Back in July, Sanders conceded to fellow Democratic candidate Clinton, 69. “I intend to do everything I can to make certain she will be the next president of the United States,” he said during a New Hampshire rally at the time. The self-proclaimed Democratic Socialist went on to endorse her and campaign heavily for her on social media.
Clinton’s run to the White House, however, officially ended early Wednesday. Hours later, she gave an emotional and inspiring concession speech at the New Yorker hotel in Manhattan.
“I know how disappointed you feel, because I feel it too. And so do tens of millions of Americans who invested their hopes and dreams in this effort. This is painful and it will be for a long time,” she said in the grand ballroom. “To all the little girls whose are watching this, never doubt that you are valuable and powerful and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world to pursue and achieve your own dreams. Finally, I am so grateful for our country and for all it has given to me. I count my blessings every single day that I am an American, and I still believe as deeply as I ever have that if we stand together and work together with respect for our differences, strength in our convictions and love for this nation, our best days are still ahead of us.”
