Republican frontrunner Donald Trump excited the political sphere earlier this week when he agreed to debate Bernie Sanders in California, as per a request from Sanders' campaign. Despite raising enough money for charity to fund it, Trump backed out of the debate at the last minute. This sudden change of events inspired Sanders to make an appearance on Real Time with Bill Maher to discuss the sought-after opportunity he came so close to seizing.
The two kick off the interview by talking about Sanders' reason for being in California: the primary. When asked about what a win in California would say to the Democratic establishment, Sanders remarks, "I would think that it would say to the establishment that the people are sick and tired of establishment politics and economics, and they want real change in this country."
Maher then introduces the Hillary Clinton email scandal. Sanders has infamously declined to engage in this conversation, upholding that there are more important issues to be discussed. Despite recent developments in the ongoing controversy, Sanders still refused to pounce. "People are hurting in this country," Sanders said. "People want us to talk about their lives and their issues and not just spend our whole lives attacking our opponents."
When Maher introduces the topic of the debate between Sanders and Trump that was so close to happening, Sanders shakes his fists in frustration. The candidate continues by attempting to trace the history of Trump's extensive history of committing to and backing out of the debate. "First he said he would do it. Then he said he wouldn't do it. Then he said he would do it. Then he said he wouldn't do it. So I would hope that if he changed his mind four times in two days, change it a fifth time. You know, Trump claims to be a real tough guy, pushes people around. Hey, Donald, come on up. Let's have a debate about the future of America."
Sanders also jumps on an opportunity to bash Trump's character in general, just in case there was any confusion. "This guy is a pathological liar, and again I don't mean to be malicious but that is just the damn truth. He would be not only an embarrassment a real danger to this entire world if he were to become president," Sanders says.
