MSNBC’s Chris Matthews stepped too far outside the liberal box in a rant on socialism that ignited social media’s cancel culture.
Matthews unloaded on the word “socialism,” saying he has an “attitude” about the term and proceeded to stun the MSNBC panel and viewers with his passionate warning to Democrats about supporting 2020 candidates who promote the ideology.
(Source: MSNBC)
“I think that the Democratic Party has to figure out its ideology,” the MSNBC host said Friday in a panel discussion following the Democratic presidential debate.
“You know, I have my own views of the word ‘socialist,'” Matthews said.
“They go back to the early 1950s. I have an attitude about them. I remember the Cold War. I have an attitude towards Castro. I believe if Castro and the Reds had won the Cold War, there would have been executions in Central Park, and I might’ve been one of the ones getting executed, and certain other people would be there cheering,” he exclaimed.
“Okay? So, I have a problem with people who took the other side,” he said passionately.
He went to question what type of socialism is supported by 2020 hopeful Sen. Bernie Sanders, noting that the type in Denmark, which is “basically a capitalist country with a lot of good social welfare programs,” would be “harmless.”
Matthews pointed out that it would be a “great question” to ask Sanders what he thought of Cuba’s Fidel Castro, whom the Vermont senator praised over 30 years ago, saying people “forgot that he educated their kids, gave their kids healthcare, totally transformed the society.” He also called the government’s overthrow a “revolution of values.”
Sanders, who honeymooned in the Soviet Union, visited Cuba in the 1980s and lauded its democracy, free housing, and healthcare while blaming its failures on “right-wing” propaganda.
But Matthews had plenty more to say on the subject during the MSNBC post-debate analysis.
“The issue of this campaign, it is that word socialism,” he said.
“Some people like it. Younger people like it. Those of us like me, who grew up in the Cold War and saw some aspects of it if you’re visiting places like Vietnam like I have, and seen countries like Cuba, being there,” the 74-year-old anchor said.
“I’ve seen what socialism’s like, and I don’t like it. OK? It’s not only not free, it doesn’t frickin’ work,” he exclaimed.
Chris Matthews laying it down.
Socialism is an issue in this campaign.
He doesn’t like socialism and “it doesn’t frickin’ work!”
— Tim Murtaugh – Text TRUMP to 88022 (@TimMurtaugh) February 8, 2020
Matthews’ reality check naturally triggered the Socialist Democrats and Sanders supporters who torched him on social media.
Everyone who is following @hardball and @HardballChris should drop him now. What Chris said was dangerous and wrong. Chris Matthews spends so much time calling Trump dangerous when he does something similar, but yet has no trouble doing it to Sander. #boycottmsnbc #dropchris
— ?Crimsoncat? (@Crimsoncatt) February 8, 2020
Jesus #ChrisMatthews needs to fade away.
Socialism isn’t gonna lead to public executions.
Please cut his mic @MSNBC
— Vincent Lyon Frost (@vfrostthefourth) February 8, 2020
What an absolutely disgusting display by Chris Matthews. #ChrisMatthews owes his viewers an apology and he definitely owes Bernie Sanders an apology
— Douglas (@dugpol) February 8, 2020
The debate host panel tried to crush Bernie, and now MSNBC is continuing to try to crush him. Shut up #ChrisMatthews. You among everyone should know that Bernie was not talking about the Socialism that you were talking about. Do not scare the uninformed with your nonsense!
— TwitBear50 (@Bear50Twit) February 8, 2020
Other Twitter users were shocked at the outburst from the MSNBC host and many more
Weep for our Country when Chris Matthews makes more sense than any of the presidential candidates from one of our two major political parties.
— Trey Benet (@trey_benet31) February 8, 2020
Finally! Yet too late for dems… they’re all socialists now.
— Rock Jayhawk (@dabbuck) February 8, 2020
I can’t believe I agree with him on something!
— TheRealRednexican ???? (@RealRednexican) February 8, 2020
And those of us who fled socialist/communist Cuba with our families. We know first hand what socialism is. For once I agree with Chris Matthews, socialism doesn’t work.
— TGM (@FtLaudGolfer) February 8, 2020
Can’t believe l’m saying this..thank you Chris Matthews!! Finally a Democrat in the media said it!
— Karla (@karla_osukarla) February 8, 2020
Chris”didn’t like it” (socialism) but did nothing to push back against the radical elements of democrat party…
Now shocked, shocked that socialism is the topic dujour in his party?
— 3161991 (@TonyChis1991) February 8, 2020
That’s 2 Dems this week. Chris Matthews and James Carville -both clearly agitated by the direction they see the Democratic party heading.
— Patriot ?? (@AmericanAnth) February 8, 2020
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