Bernie Sanders calls out Biden's scripted speeches: 'Turn off the teleprompter'

WASHINGTON (TND) — Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., on Monday condemned President Joe Biden’s use of teleprompters to address Americans, saying the tool has actually hampered his messaging.

The White House has pushed to allow Biden more impromptu speaking opportunities as Americans grow more skeptical of his age and cognitive abilities. During one recent interview with a Philadelphia-based radio station, he erroneously described himself as a “Black woman.”

Acknowledging Biden’s recent “terrible debate,” Sen. Sanders said Biden can improve his favor with Americans by making more public appearances while speaking off the cuff.

I think what he has got to do is get out there, interact with people, turn off the teleprompter and people can make a judgment for themselves how well he is doing," Sen. Sanders said.

Biden, he said, can beat former President Donald Trump in matters of policy, but Trump has an advantage based on popularity.

"This I really fault media for," Sen. Sanders said. "This is not who is the best entertainer. The truth is Trump had a good TV show. He was a very good entertainer."

So what we’ve got to do is inject policy, the contrast between what Biden stands for and what Trump stands for," he added. "And then if you do that, I think Biden’s going to do just fine."

Sen. Sanders also dismissed rumors Democrats could choose a different nominee for president during their upcoming convention. Such speculation is unfounded, he said.

In a high-stakes interview with ABC News Friday, Biden owned up to his poor showing at the first presidential debate, but refused to undergo a cognitive test when pressed by host George Stephanopoulos.

“If the Lord almighty came down and said 'Joe, get out of the race,' I'd get out of the race," Biden said. "But Lord almighty's not coming down."

Follow Jackson Walker on X at @_jlwalker_ for the latest trending national news. Have a news tip? Send it to jacwalker@sbgtv.com.