Candid Camera: ‘Breadline Bernie’ Sanders’ Decades-Long Defense of Socialism, Communism

While he is no stranger to controversy, a series of newly discovered videos shed greater light on 2020 presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders’ radical ideology towards the rise of communism and socialism.

A few of the videos, which were uncovered or reshared by The Reagan Battalion, showed Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) praising Cuban dictator Fidel Castro and stating it is a “good thing” when people are forced to line up in the streets for food.

While he spoke at the University of Vermont in 1986, Sanders recalled his excitement as Castro led the Cuban Revolution.

“I remember, for some reason or another, being very excited when Fidel Castro made the revolution in Cuba. I was a kid and I remember that. It just seemed right and appropriate that poor people were rising up against the rich ugly people.”

Sanders defended Nicaragua’s communist dictator Daniel Ortega in 1985 when he chose to humiliate a reporter because he referred to Ortega as a communist and a Marxist.

“Daniel Ortega was elected president of Nicaragua in an election. Why don’t we use the phrase ‘Daniel Ortega, democratically elected president of Nicaragua?'”

After a trip to the Soviet Union in 1988, Sanders praised Moscow’s “effective” public transportation system, youth programs, and cultural programs, which he claimed “go far beyond what we do in” America.

I think it’s also fair to point out that when we were in Moscow, for example, I think most of the people here also were extremely impressed by the public transportation system. The stations themselves were absolutely beautiful, including many works of art, chandeliers that were beautiful. It was a very effective system. Also, I was impressed by the youth programs that they have. Their palaces of culture for the young people, a whole variety of programs for young people, and cultural programs, which go far beyond what we do in this country.

During a 1985 interview, Sanders praised Castro as he claimed Castro “educated the kids, gave them healthcare, [and] totally transformed the society.” During the interview, Sanders also claimed Ortega was an “impressive guy” and admitted to giving him advice on how to improve communications with “the average American.”

“One of the things that I think I learned on my trip, you know, as a socialist, the word socialism does not frighten me,” Sanders said. “I think it’s probably fair to say that the Nicaraguan government is primarily a socialist government.”

“In 1961 they invaded Cuba and everybody was totally convinced that Castro was the worst guy in the world. All the Cuban people were gonna rise up in rebellion against Fidel Castro. They had forgot that he had educated the kids, give them healthcare, totally transformed the society.”

“The point that I try to make to many of the people that I spoke to is they’re getting killed in the American media,” Sanders stated. “My point to Ortega is they are not getting their message of what they’re trying to do out to the American people. There’s just no question about that.”

A clip that made the rounds when Sanders sought the Democratic nomination for president in 2016 also resurfaced as Sanders claimed it is a “good thing” when people line up to wait for food due to starvation.

“It’s funny, sometimes American journalists talk about how bad a country is, that people are lining up for food. That is a good thing,” Sanders exclaimed. “In other countries people don’t line up for food: the rich get the food and the poor starve to death.”

Last week, Sanders, a self-described socialist who recently announced his bid for the 2020 presidential election, faced scrutiny from his Democratic colleagues after he refused to label Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro a dictator, or Juan Guaidó as the nation’s interim president.

After one video surfaced of Sanders praising the Soviet system, Donald Trump Jr. reacted by mocking the Vermont senator’s sentiments.

“Breadline Bernie would like for everyone to know that, sure, Communism may have killed millions of people in the USSR, but don’t worry because their children’s puppetry was amazing! (Seriously, just watch!) #BreadlineBernie,” Donald Trump Jr. said in a tweet.