One night after GOP presumptive candidate Donald Trump was on his show, Jimmy Kimmel welcomed Bernie Sanders to his Hollywood studio.
The late-night host had sparked a viral sensation during his Trump interview when he asked The Donald if he would debate Sanders, a question that was posed at the request of the Democratic candidate himself.
“If I debated him, we should have such high ratings, and I think I should give — take that money and give it to some worthy charity,” Trump told Kimmel Wednesday. “If he paid a nice sum for charity, I would love to do that.”
Of course, Sanders had plenty to say about that when it came to his turn on the late-night show.
“You made it possible for us to have a very interesting debate between two guys who look at the world very, very differently,” Sanders said, revealing that ABC had contacted him about airing the special. Sanders is ironically embroiled in a war of words with Disney, the corporation that owns ABC, and with Disney CEO Bob Iger.
Kimmel then asked Sanders what happened to his proposed debate with Hillary Clinton. “We had reached an agreement for a number of debates, including one here in California, unfortunately — and not appropriately — Secretary Clinton decided not to go forward.
“I think it is insulting to the people of the largest state in the United States of America not to come forward to talk about the serious issues that impact this state and this country, so I am disappointed that she choice not to come forward,” he said.
When shown a clip of Clinton steadfastly saying that she will definitely be the Democratic nominee, Sanders called his rival “arrogant” and said: “I think that on June 7 the people of California will have a message for Secretary Clinton.”
After breaking down the current poll figures, Sanders concluded: “If the Democrats want the candidate who is most likely to beat Trump and beat him badly, you are looking at the guy.”
Of course, after Sanders had Kimmel deliver a question to Trump, he had to send one back in return.
“Dear Crazy Bernie,” Kimmel read. “Will you run as a third-party communist against Crooked Hillary or are you a coward and loser? Signed President Trump.”
Fortunately, Sanders realized that was a joke and laughed out loud, before his host read the real question.
“Bernie, you have been treated very unfairly — both primary systems are rigged — but in particular the Democrats’ ridiculous system of superdelegates. Will you run as an independent?”
“Well, I think there is a little self service there from Donald Trump,” Sanders hedged in his reply. “Do you think he worries about me? I know that comes straight from his heart.
“Tell him that I will run against him as the Democratic nominee of the United States and if I do, we’re going to beat him and beat him bad,” he pledged.
Earlier in his opening monologue, Kimmel told the audience that this was the second night in a row that they had the Secret Service in the building.
“Last night we had Donald Trump. Tonight, Bernie. I’m interviewing all the candidates so I can decide which one of them will be my running mate,” Kimmel said. “Usually, I know Vice Presidents do it the other way around, but I’m not ‘usually’ and this is how I do it. I will say, if there’s anyone who knows the importance of having a good, solid No. 2, it’s Bernie Sanders.”
“Jimmy Kimmel Live!” airs at 11:35 p.m. on ABC.