It’s safe to say that Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump are as different as chalk and cheese. One has the backing of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the other has the endorsement of Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider, but overall, which presidential hopeful has the coolest celebrity supporters?
It’s a somewhat trite question, but like it or lump it, that’s the world we live in, folks. And as every politician with their finger on the erratic pulse of public opinion knows, friends in high places are all well and good, but friends in famous places can sometimes prove their weight in mass market appeal.
Compared with the understated style of Bernie Sanders, who is largely ignored by the world’s media, Donald Trump is a one man PR tsunami. Trump does exactly what it says on the tin and keeps on trumping until you can no longer ignore the big, brash man in a funny wig.
Outside of America, Bernie Sanders is relatively unknown. In fact, the only Sanders the U.S. has exported with any degree of success goes by the name of The Colonel and produces bucket after bucket of finger licking poultry.
Here’s looking at you twump! [Photo by Toby Talbot/AP Images]Trump, on the other hand, is a world-famous celebrity with the sort of big mouth that just keeps on giving in terms of both headlines and controversy.
Such is Trump’s fame, not so long ago, politicians in Britain had a lengthy debate in the House of Commons to decide if they should ban Donald from ever entering the U.K. Why? Because of Trump’s notorious statement that he wanted to ban all Muslims from entering the U.S.
Perhaps appreciating the irony that they were discussing whether to ban someone from their country who wanted to ban people from his, or fearing the political fiasco which would result if Trump actually became President, it was eventually decided that Trump could visit Britain whenever he wanted.
Of course, this is of little interest to Trump or folk who live outside of a politically-correct straitjacket, but it does indicate the difference in the levels of worldwide recognition between Trump and Sanders.
Even in America, the media has been reluctant to give Bernie Sanders significant levels of exposure. Recent reports suggest that Sanders receives only 20 seconds for every 81 minutes afforded to Trump. So, the man described as “the Kim Kardashian of politics” has a lot more opportunity to wax lyrical about being both rich and right.
Yet, both Trump and Sanders have attracted a significant share of celebrity supporters.
Most recently, The Red Hot Chili Peppers announced their support for the Democratic presidential candidate, and revealed that along with Vampire Weekend, the Chili Peppers will be playing a “Feel the Bern” benefit concert in their hometown, Los Angeles.
The Chili’s bassist, Flea, has nothing but praise for Sanders and posted on Instagram that he is a “man of integrity.”
“So excited to be playing this concert for Bernie sanders next week. Feels great to support someone I believe in. The Rhcp offered to give him the money to pay for the theater that night but he wouldn’t accept, he only accepts small donations from individuals. Every other politician greedily grabs every cent they can get from any scumbag lobbyist. This is a man with integrity. If you can please buy the expensive seats to help out the campaign. Thank you so much. Bernie Sanders for president.”
Would you vote for a presidential candidate supported by this man? [Photo by Manu Fernandez/AP Images]
On the other hand, Donald Trump, who claims that he’s the Axl Rose of politics or something like that, has enjoyed the support of cock rocker Dee Snider, who has allowed Trump to use Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It,”on the campaign trail. But even Snider is having second thoughts about pledging his allegiance to Trump after some of Don’s more unsavory moments.
Other celebrities who have at one time or the other supported Trump include Mike Tyson, Stephen Baldwin, Gary Busey, Dennis Rodman, Lou Ferrigno, Hulk Hogan, Ted Nugent, Tila Tequila, Wayne Newton, Willie Robertson, Jesse Ventura, Charlie Sheen, Mike Ditka, Terrell Owens, Ivan Trump, and lest we forget, the unconquerable Sarah Palin.
A pretty rum bunch, I’ll think you’ll agree.
Bernie, on the other hand, not only has the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Vampire Weekend in his stable. He also has such cool dudes as Steve Earle, former Doors stickman John Densmore, David Crosby, former Dead Kennedys frontman Jello Biafra, Minor Threat’s Brian Baker, Jackson Browne, Belinda Carlisle, Billy Gould from Faith No More, Babes in Toyland’s Maureen Herman, Danny DeVito, Jesse Malin, Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy, Graham Nash, Will Ferrell, and Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore.
Depending on what side of the great cultural divide you fall on, Sanders would definitely appear to have a lot cooler following than Trump. But will it matter in the cold and unforgiving shadow cast by the ballot box?
[Photo by Craig Ruttle/AP Images]
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