Senator Bernie Sanders has come under scrutiny after selling tickets for his book tour for $95, which some have accused of promoting anti-capitalist rhetoric while benefiting from the same system he claims to be against.
During an interview on CBS’s “Face The Nation,” anchor Margaret Brennan questioned the senator about the potential hypocrisy of his actions.
Sanders denied responsibility for the pricing and instead shifted the blame to his publisher and the bookseller, while also noting that some events were free.
On social media during the State of the Union address, Sanders was praised for wearing a KN95 mask as a safety precaution during the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, a photo posted by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez showed Sanders without a mask while posing with others on the floor of Congress, leading to accusations that the mask was only worn for political reasons.
Despite being 81 years old, Sanders has not ruled out running for president again in the future. Faiz Shakir, his former campaign manager, stated that if President Biden chooses not to run for reelection, Sanders would “take another look” at a presidential bid.
Shakir acknowledged that the senator is aware of his age and would need to evaluate his physical ability and desire to run again.
While Sanders is known for his socialist beliefs, the recent controversies surrounding him suggest that he may not be practicing what he preaches.
Despite his anti-capitalist stance, his book tour prices and willingness to work with Ticketmaster have drawn criticism. Similarly, the mask incident has caused many to question his sincerity in promoting safety during the pandemic.
It remains to be seen if Sanders will make another bid for the presidency or how his recent controversies will impact his political career.
However, it is clear that he will need to address these concerns if he wishes to maintain the support of both his constituents and fellow politicians.
