C-SPAN Issues Clarification After Saying Bernie Sanders Was ‘Suspending His Campaign’

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., pauses while speaking at a campaign event at Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H. Sept. 29, 2019. ( Cheryl Senter/AP Photo)

C-Span issued a clarification after claiming that Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) was “suspending his campaign” for president.

Sanders’s campaign said on Oct. 2 that he had a heart procedure for a blocked artery and was canceling events and appearances “until further notice.”

The campaign says the 78-year-old Sanders experienced chest discomfort during an event Tuesday and sought medical evaluation.

The campaign says two stents were “successfully inserted” and that Sanders “is conversing and in good spirits.”

While awaiting a press conference featuring House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) on Wednesday, a C-Span host said that “breaking news” was coming in and told viewers that Sanders was “suspending his campaign,” language indicating that Sanders would no longer be running for president.

About 10 minutes later, the host clarified the language.

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt,) speaks on stage during a forum on gun safety in Des Moines, Iowa on Aug. 10, 2019. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

“That is not quite correct,” he said about his earlier claim.

“He will be resting up over the next couple of days,” he said about Sanders. “His campaign says that ... he will likely be back into the race.”

A number of viewers were confused about the language.

“CSPAN commentator comes on saying ‘Bernie Sanders is suspending his campaign’ and my jaw dropped. I thought he meant he was permanently dropping out,” Finn Dallaghan, a Twitter user, wrote in a social media post.

“They just issued a correction. Smh [shaking my head], bad call,” he added.

Sanders’s campaign manager, Faiz Shakir, was on a telephone call with supporters Tuesday night but didn’t mention any health concerns about the candidate.

Shakir said the “state of the campaign is strong” and he played up Sanders’s strong fundraising total for the third quarter. Sanders recently canceled some appearances in South Carolina because he lost his voice. The campaign said at the time he felt fine.

Sanders is the oldest person running for president but the top four candidates are all 70 or older.

Former Vice President Joe Biden is 76, President Donald Trump is 73, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) is 70.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.