After Debate, Warren Confronts Sanders

The rivalry between the two liberal senators was launched into high-gear before the debate when CNN reported that Sanders suggested to Warren that a woman could not take down President Trump in a private 2018 meeting.

In the immediate aftermath of the report, Warren said the account was true.

The two offered conflicting scripts on the debate stage Tuesday, with Sanders insisting he didn’t say it and has long felt a woman could become president — and Warren pointing to her record of unseating a Republican senator in Massachusetts to flesh out the case for her electability.

But Warren was still fuming when the show came to an end, and she turned down a handshake as she approached the Vermont senator, haranguing him as national TV cameras continued to roll.

Elizabeth Warren accused Bernie Sanders of calling her a liar on stage after Tuesday's debate. Here's the tense moment. https://t.co/cL3ppFmtxw pic.twitter.com/F5wFMmy8FX

— CNN (@CNN) January 16, 2020

In the freshly released audio, Sanders responded to Warren’s accusation with his own, saying, “You called me a liar; you told me — all right, let’s not do it now,” as he poked his finger toward Warren’s chest.

Tom Steyer, who stood between the two as the fireworks transpired, then went to shake Sanders’ hand.

“I don’t want to get in the middle of it,” Steyer said. “I just want to say hi, Bernie.”