Bernie Sanders’ Press Secretary Calls Demand for His Medical Records a ‘Smear Campaign’, Compares it to Birtherism

Senator Bernie Sanders’ press secretary Briahna Joy Grey has blasted demands that he release his medical records and even compared it to Birtherism – the conspiracy that former President Barack Obama wasn’t born in the U.S. and demands for his birth certificate.

CNN’s John Berman asked Grey about the fact that the campaign has now said it will not release the records despite the fact that the 78-year-old recently had a heart attack. Grey hedged but then launched into criticism.

“What you’re seeing right now is really reminiscent of some of the kind of smear, kind of skepticism campaigns that have been run against a lot of different candidates in the past, questioning where they’re from, aspects of their lineage, etc., etc,” Grey said.

Here's Bernie Sanders press secretary Briahna Joy Gray on CNN comparing demands for Sanders's medical records to birtherism and dismissing them as "a kind of smear campaign." pic.twitter.com/rZOm4a3Rg8

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 19, 2020

“And it’s really telling given that none of the same concern is being demonstrated for Michael Bloomberg, who’s the same age as Bernie Sanders, who’s suffered heart attacks in the past,” she said.

“And what we’re saying is a kind of a smear campaign from the likes of Jennifer Rubin – is one who’s been beating this drum a lot. Republicans who, if they were honest with themselves, don’t support Bernie Sanders for other reasons, largely for the same reasons that millions of working Americans do support Bernie.”

Sanders had promised to release his medical records and his heart attack last year was originally reported as being a different ailment until the campaign clarified that he had, in fact, had a heart attack.

Watch the video above, via CNN.

UPDATE

Since her appearance on CNN, Gray has said she ‘misspoke’ about Bloomberg having a heart attack.

“Rather, he underwent the same stent procedure as Bernie. Bernie released 3 detailed medical reports in December — just like the other candidates,” she said on Twitter.

I mispoke when I said Bloomberg had a heart attack. Rather, he underwent the same stent procedure as Bernie. Bernie released 3 detailed medical reports in December — just like the other candidates.

— Briahna Joy Gray (@briebriejoy) February 19, 2020