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Politics

Sanders willing to conditionally work with Trump

Rebecca Staudenmaier
November 10, 2016

The liberal senator has said he is "prepared to work" with Trump but will "vigorously oppose him" if he pursues racist and sexist policies. Other US progressives like Elizabeth Warren have echoed Sanders' sentiments.

https://p.dw.com/p/2SRhr
USA Bernie Sanders Präsidentschaftskandidat
Image: Reuters/L. Nicholson

Bernie Sanders released a statement on Wednesday remarking on billionaire Republican Donald Trump's win against Democrat Hillary Clinton in the race for president.

He acknowledged that 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 that if Trump is serious about enacting policies which seek to improve the lives of working families, "I and other progressives are prepared to work with him."

That offer, however, did not come without a few strings attached. Should the President-elect pursue "racist, sexist, xenophobic and anti-environment policies, we will vigorously oppose him."

Sanders also landed a dig on Trump in his Facebook statement, saying how "people are tired...of billionaires not paying any federal income taxes."

A New York Times report in October found that Trump is estimated to have avoided paying millions of dollars in personal income tax. During a presidential debate with Clinton, he said his tax-avoidance tactics made him "smart."

USA Elizabeth Warren Senatorin von Massachusetts
Warren said it it was her "sincere hope" that Trump will serve all Americans regardless of their beliefsImage: Reuters

Sanders ran against Clinton for the Democratic Party nomination, but supported her as a presidential candidate after she won.

The primary race between the two candidates was particularly bitter, with Sanders garnering a great deal of support from young voters who supported his calls for income equality and free education.

Warren's 'sincere hope' to Trump

Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren said it was "no secret" that she didn't want Trump to win the election. But the progressive politician also proposed that she and Trump "put aside our differences" to rebuild the US economy for working people in a statement on Wednesday.

Warren said it was her "sincere hope" that Trump will serve all Americans "no matter who they are, where they come from, what they believe, or who they love."

Warren, a favorite with liberals and a Clinton supporter, has traded harsh words with Trump throughout the campaign. As recently as Monday, Trump called the Massachusetts senator a "terrible human being" and a "terrible senator."

Trump's surprising win early on Wednesday sparked protests in cities across the nation, with many demonstrators angered by Trump's campaign comments about minorities, Muslims and women as well as his anti-immigration stance.

In October, Trump delivered a speech where he laid out his plans for his first 100 days in office. In the address, he said he would repeal and replace Obamacare, as well as allow the controversial Keystone pipeline to proceed and revive the coal industry.

He has also called for a ban on Muslim immigration as well as for deportations of undocumented Mexican migrants. The President-elect also came under fire after a video leaked in October of him bragging about sexually assaulting women.