President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE on Wednesday welcomed “Crazy Bernie” Sanders to the 2020 Democratic presidential primary one day after he wished the independent Vermont senator well in his newly launched campaign.
“Crazy Bernie has just entered the race,” Trump tweeted. “I wish him well!”
Crazy Bernie has just entered the race. I wish him well!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 20, 2019
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Trump, who occasionally derides Sanders as “Crazy Bernie,” first weighed in Tuesday afternoon on the senator’s decision to pursue the Democratic nomination for president.
“Personally I think he missed his time,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. “But I like Bernie because he is one person that, you know, on trade he sort of would agree on trade. I’m being very tough on trade, he was tough on trade.”
“The problem is he doesn’t know what to do about it,” Trump continued. “We’re doing something very spectacular on trade. But I wish Bernie well. It will be interesting to see how he does.”
Sanders fired back at Trump’s tweet on Wednesday morning, saying it is “crazy” that the U.S. has “a president who is a racist, a sexist, a xenophobe and a fraud.”
“We are going to bring people together and not only defeat Trump but transform the economic and political life of this country,” he added.
What’s crazy is that we have a president who is a racist, a sexist, a xenophobe and a fraud. We are going to bring people together and not only defeat Trump but transform the economic and political life of this country. Say you’re in: https://t.co/rxqbjJJKv3 https://t.co/HoJG0Rlwq1
— Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness MORE (@BernieSanders) February 20, 2019
Sanders announced Tuesday morning he will run for president in 2020, four years after his insurgent primary campaign garnered significant momentum. He eventually ceded the Democratic nomination to Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonWhite House accuses Biden of pushing ‘conspiracy theories’ with Trump election claim Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness Trayvon Martin’s mother Sybrina Fulton qualifies to run for county commissioner in Florida MORE.
Sanders joins a growing list of candidates seeking the Democratic nomination in 2020. Among those to launch a bid are Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.).
Former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police Trump finalizing executive order calling on police to use ‘force with compassion’ The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook MORE and former Rep. Beto O’RourkeBeto O’RourkeBiden will help close out Texas Democrats’ virtual convention: report O’Rourke on Texas reopening: ‘Dangerous, dumb and weak’ Parties gear up for battle over Texas state House MORE (D-Texas) are among those who are expected to announce soon whether they will run in 2020.