Advertisement Bernie Sanders says Donald Trump votes were an 'embarrassment' Vermont Senator won't rule out run in 2020 Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders says it was "an embarrassment" that millions of white working-class voters decided to back Republican Donald Trump in Tuesday's presidential election. The former rival of Hillary Clinton is calling on Democrats to take a strong stand against the role of corporate interests in politics. Sanders spoke to the Associated Press by phone Thursday. He said "there was a lack of enthusiasm" among Democrats and "people just did not come out to vote." Sanders released a statement Wednesday on his Senate website. "Donald Trump tapped into the anger of a declining middle class that is sick and tired of establishment economics, establishment politics and the establishment media," Sanders said. "People are tired of working longer hours for lower wages, of seeing decent paying jobs go to China and other low-wage countries, of billionaires not paying any federal income taxes and of not being able to afford a college education for their kids -- all while the very rich become much richer." Sanders said if Trump was serious about improving the lives of working families, he would work with him, but only if united the country. "To the degree that he pursues racist, sexist, xenophobic and anti-environment policies, we will vigorously oppose him," Sanders said. Sanders also said he will support Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota for chairman of the Democratic National Committee. And he is not ruling out another presidential campaign, saying that "four years is a long time from now."