Bernie Sanders, the independent from Vermont seeking to refashion the Democratic Party with his socialist policies, has seized the status as frontrunner for the party's presidential nomination after a convincing win in the Nevada caucuses.

Sanders captured 46 percent of the support from caucus goers in Nevada, more than double his closest rival. Former Vice President Joe Biden finished second with 19.6 percent of support, followed by Pete Buttigieg and Elizabeth Warren.

With wins in two of the first three presidential contests, Sanders has secured significant momentum heading into next month's crucial Super Tuesday election slate. He predicted he would capture delegate-rich Texas on that day and boasted he was fashioning a new generation coalition of voters that want to crush the status quo establishment.

Exit polling showed the 78-year-old Sanders with strong support among young voters, Hispanics and those who identify as strongly liberal. He also made gains among African-American voters.

"We have just put together a multigenerational, multiracial coalition that is not only going to win in Nevada, it's going to sweep this country," Sanders boasted.

President Trump congratulated Sanders -- whom he derided as "Crazu Bernie" -- for the win while slamming Biden and former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg for having a bad week. He also tweaked the Democrats, suggesting as he often does that the party is trying to keep Sanders from winning the nomination for fear his socialist views will be costly in the fall election.

"Looks like Crazy Bernie is doing well in the Great State of Nevada. Biden & the rest look weak, & no way Mini Mike can restart his campaign after the worst debate performance in the history of Presidential Debates," the president tweeted. "Congratulations Bernie, & don’t let them take it away from you!"

Trump's tweet was designed to exacerbate fears among the Democratic establishment about Sanders' viability in the fall, fears that were on display Saturday after his Nevada win.

MSNBC host Chris Matthews drew harsh rebukes after comparing on air that Sanders' win in Nevada was the equivalent of the Nazis capturing France in 1940.

You can watch Matthews' comments here. 

The political drama aside, Sanders' next mission is a strong showing in next week's South Carolina primary, where he is polling second to Biden.