Tensions ran high during a recent ABC interview with Senator Bernie Sanders, who abruptly stood up and nearly walked out when asked whether he would like to see Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez join him in the Senate. The incident occurred during a segment of This Week with co-anchor Jonathan Karl, who attempted to follow up on the pair’s joint appearance at a Denver rally. Sanders, however, appeared frustrated by what he called “nonsense” and “inside-the-Beltway stuff.”
Karl posed the question directly: “Would you like to see her join you in the Senate?” Sanders began to respond dismissively, saying, “Right now we have, as I said, just a whole lot of people in the Congress,” before abruptly ending the exchange with, “OK, Jonathan, thanks,” and leaving his seat. As he moved off-camera, Karl quickly tried to keep the interview alive, telling Sanders, “Wait! I got one more — I got one more. This is an important one.”
????Angry Bernie gets up and threatens to walk out of interview after ABC’s Karl asks him about AOC joining him in the Senate:
“You wanna do nonsense, do nonsense!” pic.twitter.com/lfTjgXMyAX
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) March 23, 2025
Clearly annoyed, Sanders replied from off-camera, “No, you want to do nonsense? Do nonsense.” When Karl insisted the question was legitimate due to their recent public appearance together, Sanders reluctantly returned to his seat only after being assured the conversation would shift topics.
Despite Sanders’ discomfort discussing Ocasio-Cortez’s potential Senate run, he had just praised her moments earlier. “I am so impressed by her work in Congress,” he said. “She inspires young people all over the country.” His reluctance to engage further with the topic, though, underscored the sensitivities brewing within the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, especially amid rumors that Ocasio-Cortez may be considering a challenge to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
The speculation comes at a time of weak public approval for Senate Democratic leadership. A recent CNN report indicated that some progressives are urging Ocasio-Cortez to run a primary campaign against Schumer after he declined to oppose a Republican stopgap funding bill. Though Ocasio-Cortez has not confirmed any plans, her silence continues to fuel speculation and stir division.
During the same interview, Sanders criticized Senate Democrats for their ineffectiveness during their time in control. “They did virtually nothing for working people,” he said, adding, “I’m a member of the Democratic caucus as an independent, so I’m not going to lie to you and tell you otherwise.”
Interestingly, Sanders also acknowledged areas where he agreed with former President Donald Trump. When asked if Trump had done anything right, Sanders pointed to efforts in “cracking down on fentanyl” and “making sure our borders are stronger.” He also asserted that “nobody thinks illegal immigration is appropriate” and voiced support for “comprehensive immigration reform.”
The awkward moment in the interview — coupled with Sanders’ unwillingness to weigh in on Ocasio-Cortez’s future — reflects deeper fractures within the Democratic coalition. As leadership figures face pressure from both moderate and far-left factions, these internal debates will likely shape the party’s strategy ahead of key elections. The broader concern remains whether current leadership is equipped to navigate this ideological tug-of-war while presenting a unified vision to voters.
As the party grapples with mixed messaging, declining approval ratings, and growing dissatisfaction among progressives, this moment exemplifies the confusion and lack of clarity in direction. The refusal to engage with a direct question — especially one rooted in public events and current speculation — reveals the discomfort some leaders feel when forced to confront internal challenges or endorse rising figures who could upset the establishment’s grip on power.
