Like most 74-year-old presidential candidates, Bernie Sanders probably really likes DMX. He is from Brooklyn, after all.
But a video that went viral of the Democratic presidential candidate entering a Lancaster, California, rally this week while DMX’s “Where the Hood At” blasted on the speakers turns out to have been a hoax, as Sanders’s press secretary confirmed on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/SymoneDSanders/status/736601791001993216
The video, which has since been deleted, was uploaded by one Edwin Acuna, who later admitted that he edited the video as a joke, which he let ride until it became, in his words, a “social experiment” after people began to criticize the candidate for using a song that includes controversial lyrics.
Acuna said in a statement, via Slate:
To make a long story short, It started off as a goof, and turned into a social experiment. Literally everyone and their mothers went nuts, using it for their own agendas to prove that some how Bernie Sanders was anti gay all along, I chose that song because I knew it would shake up both ends of the spectrum. So I want to ask everyone, The younger folks out there, I really do appreciate the immense love everyone gave Bernie Sanders, but please think more about the political process and get involved instead of having to have a viral video to motivate you to make a move and vote. To those Hilary supporters, I hope you feel at a lose for words and I say that with all due respect, I respect your stance but Id like to ask you how it feels to believe you almost had a 1up on Bernie and a reason to shame him only to come up short? Just like you all accused the Bernie supporters of being senseless for following this man coming out to a DMX you too are a victim of blindly believing everything you see on the internet. With that said, I hope everyone remembers what memorial day is all about and RIP to all my dead soldiers, its more than just a 3 day weekend. God bless america.
Sanders’s song selection is often handled by DJ Mel, the Austin-based DJ who’s essentially been touring with Sanders. His use of David Bowie’s “Starman” after Sanders’ near-victory at the Iowa caucus went viral earlier this year.
In case you’re the kind of person who wants to actually hear what Sanders had to say after that intro, bless you. Here’s the video of the full speech. It’s vintage Bernie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv553sTT0I4
The crowd is electric throughout the speech as Sanders fights to convince followers that a win in California can lead to a national win over challenger Hillary Clinton, who currently leads in pledged delegates by triple digits.
The hour-long stump speech hit on his classic issues, from government that works for ordinary people to ending the drug war.
The California primary takes place on June 7. Clinton has held a significant but slightly shrinking lead in the state.
Correction: The video originally featured in this story—a clip of Bernie Sanders entering a campaign rally to DMX’s “Where The Hood At,” was revealed to be a hoax post-publication. This story and its headline have been updated accordingly.