Media mogul Haim Saban did not hold back in criticisms of presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders during an interview with the Hollywood Reporter.
Saban, alongside his wife Cheryl, at first said they loved all of the Democratic candidates that are running for president before having to correct himself.
“No, minus one. I profoundly dislike Bernie Sanders, and you can write it. I don’t give a hoot. He’s a Communist under the cover of being a socialist. He thinks that every billionaire is a crook. He calls us ‘the billionaire class.’ And he attacks us indiscriminately. ‘It’s the billionaire class, the bad guys.’ This is how communists think. So, 22 are great. One is a disaster zone,” he said.
The Sabans are the largest donors to the Democratic Party.
Saban also said how he enjoys being able to give his money to charitable causes, such as Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, the Rape Treatment Center, Birthright Israel, and Friends of the Israel Defense Forces.
Sanders has built his political career on wanting to make sure the top 1% of wealthy Americans pay more in taxes to fund government programs. When billionaire Tom Steyer entered the race Tuesday, Sanders said he did not like the message it sends.
“Well, you know, I have known Tom for a number of years, and I like Tom personally. But I do have to say as somebody, who in this campaign has received 2 million contributions — averaging, I believe, $19 a person — I’m a bit tired of seeing billionaires trying to buy political power,” the Vermont senator explained. “So I like Tom. He’s a good guy. He’s a friend of mine, but I’m not a great fan of billionaires getting involved in the political process.”
Saban, who is also an Israeli citizen, further criticized New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s comments on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
“So, here she made a statement that is pretty scary and pretty compelling but misinformed. Why don’t you go study and then make a statement?” he asked.
