WASHINGTON ― Sen. Bernie Sanders stood up from his chair and tried to end an interview with ABC News when he was asked Sunday whether he would like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to join him in the U.S. Senate.
“Right now, we have, as I said, just a whole lot of people in the Congress. OK, Jonathan, thanks,” Sanders, I-Vt., told ABC News’ Jonathan Karl, as he got out of his seat, in response to a question about Ocasio-Cortez potentially running for the Senate.
“You want to do nonsense, do nonsense,” Sanders added. “I don’t want to talk about inside the Beltway stuff.”
More: AOC and Bernie Sanders draw thousands of people at ‘Fighting Oligarchy’ rally in Denver
Ocasio-Cortez’s future has been the subject of intense speculation as she and Sanders, two political rock stars among progressives, have been drawing massive crowds as they hold a series of rallies in swing districts. More than 30,000 people attended a “Fighting Oligarchy” rally in Denver on Saturday held by the 83-year-old Sanders and 35-year-old Ocasio-Cortez.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (D-NY) and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) share a moment onstage during a rally on March 21, 2025 at Civic Center Park in Denver, Colorado.
Their tour comes as Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has faced a backlash from the left after Schumer and nine other Senate Democrats supported a Republican-crafted spending bill to avert a government shutdown earlier this month. Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez were among those who criticized the decision.
More: Democrats pile on criticism of Chuck Schumer, with some calling for him to step aside
Schumer is up for reelection in 2028, and Ocasio-Cortez has long been considered a possible contender for the Senate ‒ even in a possible primary challenge if Schumer decides to run again.
Yet Ocasio-Cortez’s name is also mentioned as a possible Democratic contender for president in 2028. She could take the mantle as the progressive candidate from Sanders, who has said he won’t run for president after doing so twice before. Ocasio-Cortez has not discussed her political plans publicly.
After getting up from his chair, Sanders returned to the interview seat and took one final question. He was asked by Karl whether he will run for president again.
“Right now, I’m Vermont’s senator. That’s what I do. And I’m very happy to do it,” Sanders said. “I am 83 years of age, and I’m tired.”
Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bernie Sanders balks at ‘nonsense’ question about AOC joining Senate
