On Sunday’s CBS Face the Nation, moderator Margaret Brennan had a sit-down interview with Socialist Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders about his new book “It’s OK to Be Angry About Capitalism,” which he ironically sells on Amazon for $22.40. On top of that, tickets to his book tour are going from anywhere between $55 and $95 on TicketMaster. It seems like capitalism is treating him pretty well, so it begs the question: why does Bernie Sanders hate it? Thankfully Brennan broached the subject during the wide ranging interview. 

Brennan used her last question in her sit-down to confront Sanders on his hypocrisy: “you’re going on tour to promote this book ‘it’s okay to be angry about capitalism.’ And you’re here talking about it. I understand we’re not the bad guys you’re describing in the book when it comes to media, but tickets for your tour apparently are selling for $95 on TicketMaster.”

She then pointed out how Sanders using TicketMaster is hypocritical since “some of your [fellow] Democrats are criticizing them.”

Brennan put the question bluntly to Sanders: “aren’t you benefitting yourself from the system that you’re trying to dismantle?” 

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This set Sanders off who sought to deny any double standard on his part: “those decisions are made totally by the publisher and bookseller. I think there’s one case where in one place here in Washington, Politics and Prose, an independent bookstore charging some tickets.”

He then outright denied he’s profiting in any way from the book or ticket sales which is highly doubtful: “I don’t make a nickel out of these things,” Sanders claimed.

The transcript is below. Click “expand” to read: 

CBS’s Face the Nation
2/19/2023
10:52:56 a.m. Eastern

MARGARET BRENNAN: But I have to ask you, you’re going on tour to promote this book ‘it’s okay to be angry about capitalism.’ And you’re here talking about it. I understand we’re not the bad guys you’re describing in the book when it comes to media, but tickets for your tour apparently are selling for $95 on TicketMaster. Which is accused of anti-competitive behavior. You know that. Some of your Democrats are criticizing them. Aren’t you benefitting yourself from the system that you’re trying to dismantle? 

SEN. BERNIE SANDERS: First of all, those decisions are made totally by the publisher and bookseller. I think there’s one case where in one place here in Washington, Politics and Prose, an independent bookstore charging some tickets. Most of them I think are $40, $50, and you get a book as well. So if you want to come, you’re gonna have to pay $40. I’ll throw in the book for free. We’re doing a number of free events. But I don’t make a nickel out of these things. 

BRENNAN: But you’re okay doing business with ticketmaster? 

SANDERS: No not particularly, but that’s again—I have nothing to do with that. That is, if you wrote a book, probably would be the same process. 

BRENNAN: So you have to operate within the system? 

SANDERS: I do. I write a book, a major publisher etc, etc…