Since the first major protest against Donald Trump and his regressive policy erupted just 24 hours after he was sworn into office, Republicans have explained away the passion of the opposition by claiming that any and all protesters are merely paid dissidents.
How they can delude themselves into believing that millions of Americans are taking to the streets for a paycheck is beyond me. After all, if some billionaire benefactor were employing millions, wouldn’t they be a hero to Republicans?
Even Congressman Jason Chaffitz jumped on the paid protester narrative, arguing that the angry town hall attendees he faced late last week were paid as well. According to those present at the town hall who shouted “do your job,” to their representative, nothing could be further from the truth.
To lay out just how insane this narrative is, Senator Bernie Sanders responded to the allegations on Sunday’s Meet the Press, arguing that the outcry and protests were a “spontaneous uprising.”
“It’s not a tea party because the tea party was essentially funded by the billionaire Koch brothers. This is a spontaneous and grass-roots uprising of the American people.”
Sanders then laid out the plans for future protests in the next several weeks, specifically protesting against the repeal of the ACA.
Watch.
