Sanders Slams Trump's Economy Claims as 'Crazy' or 'Pathological Lies'

The Vermont senator accused the former president of living in an 'authoritarian society'.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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In a TV interview, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) sharply criticized former President Donald Trump's claims that the U.S. economy is the 'greatest ever,' calling Trump 'completely crazy and delusional, or just a pathological liar.' Sanders argued that most Americans are struggling with high costs of living, healthcare, housing, and other basic needs, contradicting Trump's rosy economic assessment.

Why it matters

Sanders' comments reflect the deep partisan divide over the state of the economy, with Democrats generally more critical of Trump's economic record compared to Republicans. The debate over the health of the economy is a key political battleground, with both parties seeking to shape public perception ahead of future elections.

The details

During an interview on MS NOW's 'All In,' Sanders reacted to Trump's recent comments on Fox Business Network praising the economy as the 'greatest period of anything that we've ever seen' and 'the greatest economy, actually, ever in history.' Sanders dismissed Trump's claims, arguing that most Americans are struggling with high costs of living, healthcare, housing, and other basic needs.

  • The interview with Sanders aired on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.
  • Trump made his comments about the economy on Fox Business Network.

The players

Bernie Sanders

A U.S. Senator from Vermont and former Democratic presidential candidate who is known for his progressive economic policies.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who served from 2017 to 2021.

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What they’re saying

“Well, look, Chris, I think the American people understand with what's going on in Minneapolis, Trump's attacks on the media, universities. He is going after political opponents and through criminal actions, that we are moving into an authoritarian society.”

— Bernie Sanders, U.S. Senator (MS NOW)

“In terms of I got to tell you, though, I seen that tape you just scrolled. You wonder whether Trump is completely crazy and delusional, or just a pathological liar. But the idea that anybody would believe that this is a great economy when 60% of our people are living paycheck to paycheck, when the cost of health care is going up, people can't afford housing, people can't afford their basic groceries, childcare system is dysfunctional, people can't afford to go to college. And if this is the greatest economy in the history of the world, God help us.”

— Bernie Sanders, U.S. Senator (MS NOW)

The takeaway

Sanders' strong rebuke of Trump's economic claims highlights the deep partisan divide over the state of the U.S. economy, with Democrats generally more critical of Trump's record compared to Republicans. This debate over the health of the economy is likely to remain a key political battleground in the years ahead.