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Comedian Jon Stewart and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) delved into the complexities of bipartisan agreement during a segment on The Weekly Show on Friday.

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, speaks during a United Auto Workers rally Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at the UAW Hall in Belvidere.

The discussion centered around the difficulty Democrats face when agreeing with figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Elon Musk on certain issues, particularly when those figures are divisive.

Stewart highlighted the challenges of supporting ideas from controversial figures, noting the backlash that often follows.

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“How do you walk that tightrope?” Stewart asked Sanders. “Because what I find is there is a gag reflex from, and I think both parties have it, a gag reflex on Robert Kennedy says ultra-processed foods are killing Americans, and I’m like, ‘Yeah, God awful. That’s got to change.’”

Stewart went on to point out that agreeing with RFK Jr. or Elon Musk on certain issues often results in criticism. “But if you were to say that, boy, are you just dog piled. How can you agree with Robert Kennedy Jr on anything? He’s this and that. Elon Musk says we’ve got waste and inefficiency in the government, and we’re like, ‘Yeah, we’ve been yelling about that for years,’ and as soon as we do that, ‘How can you? How dare you?’ It’s really interesting,” Stewart said.

Sanders echoed Stewart’s sentiments, acknowledging the challenges of working across party lines on shared concerns. He emphasized the importance of addressing public health issues, particularly regarding food labeling.

“You know what I’m holding a hearing on tomorrow? To demand to know why the commissioner of the FDA has not, in fact, at least gone forward with strong labels to warn the American people about the nature of the food that they are eating, which is leading to obesity, which is leading to diabetes,” Sanders said. “We have been absolutely irresponsible. Kennedy is right on that issue.”

Sanders also noted his disagreement with RFK Jr.’s proposal to remove fluoride from drinking water. “So you’re saying, how do you walk that line? Well, that is exactly what we are trying to figure out right now,” Sanders added.

The senator highlighted the need for bipartisan cooperation on issues like public health, pointing out that many challenges, such as food-related health crises, are universal.

His upcoming hearing aims to hold the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accountable for inaction on food labeling reforms.

Sanders emphasized that cooperation with opposing voices should not preclude holding them accountable for positions deemed harmful or unscientific.

The discussion between Stewart and Sanders highlights the ongoing tension in American politics, where individuals are frequently evaluated based on their political affiliations rather than the substance of their ideas.

Watch the full interview:

As Sanders continues his push for reforms, the discussion reflects the difficulty of addressing bipartisan issues in an increasingly polarized environment.

This dynamic will likely remain a key challenge as lawmakers and public figures attempt to bridge divides on critical issues such as public health, government efficiency, and transparency.