Figures from the music and entertainment world have been having their say on Bernie Sanders’ decision to suspend his US presidential campaign.
The senator made his staff aware that he would be stepping out of the 2020 race during a conference call today (April 8), the BBC report. He had become a frontrunner in the Democratic nomination contest earlier this year.
Over the course of his campaign, Sanders won support from artists such as The Strokes, Cardi B, Public Enemy and Bon Iver, with each having taken part in rallies or on live-streamed events and videos.
Among the first to react to today’s news was former Sonic Youth singer Kim Gordon, who last month endorsed Sanders by taking part in a bizarre mock baking tutorial.
“Thank you @BernieSanders for putting great ideas above politics and having the courage to stand by them! And Actually meaning what you say! You brought meaning to politics!” Gordon wrote on Twitter.
In a follow-up tweet, she added: “Even though [Sanders] has suspended his campaign we can still cast a vote for him on the ballot and continue to collect delegates to exert influence on the party platform at the convention.”
Thank you @BernieSanders for putting great ideas above politics and having the courage to stand by them ! And Actually meaning what you say ! You brought meaning to politics!
— Kim Gordon (@KimletGordon) April 8, 2020
Even though @BernieSanders has suspended his campaign we can still cast a vote for him on the ballot and continue to collect delegates to exert influence on the party platform at the convention
— Kim Gordon (@KimletGordon) April 8, 2020
Cardi B, who teamed up with Sanders on a presidential campaign video last summer, reacted to the news by criticising younger people for not voting. Taking to Instagram Live, she said she was “very upset with everybody”. You can see that clip below.
Vampire Weekend frontman Ezra Koenig wrote: “I don’t feel bad for Bernie. He’s the ‘not me, us’ guy. I feel bad for…us. All of us,” while Kid Cudi said: “Bernie will always be the man.”
Cardi B talks about the Coronavirus, Bernie Sanders dropping out of the 2020 democratic race, and Donald Trump. pic.twitter.com/OdAfp403Mw
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) April 9, 2020
cuz we’re all human & like the man endlessly repeats: healthcare is a human right. good lord ! Obviously. Please Democrats, act like it
— Ezra Koenig (@arzE) April 8, 2020
Bernie will always be the man
— The Chosen One (@KidCudi) April 8, 2020
“Thank you Bernie Sanders,” said Star Wars actor Mark Hamill. “You would have had my enthusiastic vote had you prevailed. Grateful for all you have contributed to the future of this nation & for graciously putting [the] country first.”
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, meanwhile, stood in “solidarity” with the politician. “The struggle for a better world goes on,” he wrote above a similar message from Sanders.
Lucy Dacus also gave her thanks, posting on Twitter: “I’m proud to have supported Bernie and to continue to learn from him through the work he has always done and will continue to do to benefit the voiceless and marginalised.”
Thank you @BernieSanders. You would have had my enthusiastic vote had you prevailed. Grateful for all you have contributed to the future of this nation & for graciously putting country first.#UnitedWeWin https://t.co/t8q150oDgC
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) April 8, 2020
I'm proud to have supported Bernie and to continue to learn from him through the work he has always done and will continue to do to benefit the voiceless and marginalized.
Thank you, @BernieSanders
— Lucy Dacus (@lucydacus) April 8, 2020
very fucking bummed about bernie rn however, i’m voting for biden and you should too. who knows what kind of damage will be done if trump gets re-elected.
— The Regrettes (@regrettesband) April 8, 2020
Solidarity @berniesanders
The struggle for a better world goes on. https://t.co/9sgjdN4dEK
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) April 8, 2020
Explaining that his decision had been “very difficult and painful” to make, Sanders said: “If I believed we had a feasible path to the nomination, I would certainly continue.”
He went on to discuss how the campaign had “transformed American consciousness as to what kind of nation we can become and have taken this country a major step forward in the never-ending struggle for economic justice, social justice, racial justice and environmental justice.”
Joe Biden now looks set to be named the Democratic party’s nominee in August. The former Vice President will then go up against current POTUS Donald Trump during the November general election.
Over the weekend, Justin Vernon debuted a new Bon Iver song during Bernie Sanders’ live-streamed “virtual town hall” event. Also performing in the broadcast was Soccer Mommy.
Earlier in the year, The Strokes played at Sanders’ rally in Durham, New Hampshire, where they debuted two then-unreleased songs. Julian Casablancas and co. later put their range of Bernie Sanders T-shirts on sale to the public.