Images of a less than impressive crowd at a Bernie Sanders-hosted campaign rally for Joe Biden were widely disseminated on social media this weekend and sparked mockery from conservatives.
The event: The socially distanced rally took place Saturday in Lebanon, New Hampshire, attracting apparently less than a hundred attendees.
Adam Sexton, political director for WMUR, posted photos to Twitter showing the turnout.
A video posted to Twitter by the New Hampshire Democratic Party showed that the appearance of a small crowd wasn’t the product of a deceptive angle.
About 60 participants showed up, according to NBC News.
Sanders himself noted that the rally attendance had been capped, saying, “Maybe some Republicans will make fun of us for this event.”
The reaction: Conservatives on Twitter unfavorably compared the Democratic event to President Donald Trump’s signature tentpole rallies.
Actor James Wood simply said, “Pathetic.”
Turning Point USA events director Lauren Toncich posted pictures of the New Hampshire rally alongside a picture of a Students for Trump event and commented, “The enthusiasm is on our side.”
Francis Brennan, the Trump campaign’s strategic response director, sarcastically admired the zeal of Biden’s supporters.
Enthusiasm gap: Trump and his supporters have long touted his supposed enthusiasm advantage over Biden.
- An AP/NORC Center for Public Affairs Poll released in July found that 42% of Trump supporters were excited about the coming election, as opposed to 31% of Biden supporters.
