Sen. Bernie Sanders Mocked After Audience Clash Over Government Shutdown During CNN Town Hall [WATCH]

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) faced widespread criticism online after a heated exchange with a conservative audience member during a CNN town hall on Wednesday night, where he was pressed on whether Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer bears responsibility for the ongoing government shutdown, as reported by Fox News.

During the event, an audience member named Rohan Naval asked Sanders, “How do you think this shutdown reflects on Chuck Schumer’s leadership?”

Sanders responded by shifting the blame toward Republican leadership, saying the shutdown “reflects more on Mike Johnson’s leadership” as well as that of President Donald Trump. The response prompted Naval to smirk, drawing attention from the audience.

Sanders continued, “Well, tell me how do you feel? You tell me, you think it’s a good idea to give $1 trillion in tax breaks to the richest people in the country and then make massive cuts to healthcare for working-class people?”

Naval, who is an intern with Americans for Tax Reform, quickly countered, “I think Chuck Schumer has voted for a continuing resolution 13 times in the last four years, and he has the opportunity to vote for one again, but he’s refusing to come to the table.”

The exchange quickly went viral on social media as both conservatives and White House-linked accounts mocked Sanders for appearing flustered.

“Crazy Bernie just got wrecked on national television,” the White House Rapid Response Team posted on X.

Crazy Bernie just got wrecked on national television pic.twitter.com/G5Emm2gY6v

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 16, 2025

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“Bingo,” Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.) added. “The Schumer Shutdown is all about politics.”

Bingo. The Schumer Shutdown is all about politics. https://t.co/1sBVnNPQ1g

— Rep. Ken Calvert (@KenCalvert) October 16, 2025

“Bernie Sanders got embarrassed HARD,” posted Eric Daugherty, assistant director of Florida’s Voice News.

HOLY CRAP! Bernie Sanders got embarrassed HARD pic.twitter.com/8jhXdf15iG

MAN: How does this shutdown reflect on Schumer?

BERNIE: It reflects on Mike Johnson and Trump…*guy shakes his head* What do you think? You think it’s OK to give tax breaks to rich people and make cuts to…

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 16, 2025

“LOL this kid just rekt Crazy Bernie,” wrote White House deputy press secretary Abigail Jackson.

LOL this kid just rekt Crazy Bernie

“I think Chuck Schumer has voted for continuing resolutions 13 times in the last 4 years and he has the opportunity to vote for one again but he’s refusing…”pic.twitter.com/cXLQDEKuvU

— Abigail Jackson (@ATJackson47) October 16, 2025

“Bernie got COOKED,” Townhall.com added. “This guy just calmly smacked Bernie Sanders down in a single sentence. BRUTAL.”

Bernie got COOKED.

This guy just calmly smacked Bernie Sanders down in a single sentence.

BRUTAL. pic.twitter.com/BV1cgFEsip

— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) October 16, 2025

“Bernie Sanders gets owned by a man who calls out Chuck Schumer for repeatedly voting for continuing resolutions and now suddenly not,” conservative influencer Paul A. Szypula posted. “The only reason Schumer isn’t funding the government is because he’s afraid of losing his Senate seat to brainless AOC.”

Bernie Sanders gets owned by a man who calls out Chuck Schumer for repeatedly voting for continuing resolutions and now suddenly not.

The only reason Schumer isn’t funding the government is because he’s afraid of losing his Senate seat to brainless AOC.pic.twitter.com/4Vv1WvLLfu

— Paul A. Szypula (@Bubblebathgirl) October 16, 2025

Following the exchange, Sanders attempted to defend his position.

“Look, here’s what I have said. There are 53 Republican senators, correct? They need 60. It means you have to talk to the other side. Mike Johnson is not talking. John Thune is not talking. President Trump is not talking. That is the problem,” he said.

On Thursday, Senate Democrats blocked Republican efforts for the 10th time to reopen the government. The GOP-backed continuing resolution would fund operations until November 21.

Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) said Republicans plan to keep bringing the measure to the floor for additional votes.

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democrats continue to tie government funding to negotiations over expiring Obamacare subsidies, insisting President Trump become personally involved in talks.

“The bottom line is [Republicans] won’t even negotiate with us,” Schumer told reporters Thursday. “We need to address the crisis that has afflicted, and that’s the right word, the American people.”

The shutdown entered its 16th day Thursday with no resolution in sight.

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