Bernie Sanders responded to Donald Trump on Twitter, "Big talk from the same guy who was too afraid to debate Bernie in California." | M. Scott Mahaskey/POLITICO Sanders taunts Trump's 'big talk'

Bernie Sanders has apparently still not forgotten about Donald Trump's decision not to debate him last month ahead of the California primary.

After the presumptive Republican nominee declared earlier Tuesday that the Vermont senator had "sold out" by endorsing Hillary Clinton, Sanders responded on Twitter, "Big talk from the same guy who was too afraid to debate Bernie in California."


Trump had briefly considered participating in a debate with Sanders for charity ahead of the largest delegate prize in California but ultimately decided against it, reasoning that the nominating process in both parties is rigged and saying he would not want to “debate the second-place finisher.”

Following Sanders' tweet ripping his "big talk," Trump declared on Twitter that Sanders "has abandoned his supporters by endorsing pro-war pro-TPP pro-Wall Street Crooked Hillary Clinton," sentiments largely in line with the campaign's messaging pointing out the Democratic squabbles during the primary season.

"To all the Bernie voters who want to stop bad trade deals & global special interests, we welcome you with open arms," Trump tweeted. "People first."