Mike Bloomberg: Billionaire 'to enter Democratic race for president' if Joe Biden drops out
Another man who once held an important job would like to be president
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire and former mayor of New York, is considering running for president if Joe Biden drops out, according to sources familiar with his thinking.
An anonymous source close to Mr Bloomberg, who served as mayor from 2002 to 2013, told CNBC that the presidency is “something he wants,” adding that “he has not been shy about that.”
Like the current mayor of New York, the billionaire, who is 77, has in the past been very vocal about his desire to be president of the United States, despite never gaining much support for this from voters in any state.
In 2012, he was rumoured to be considering a run against then-president Barack Obama, which he did not do.
Mr Bloomberg then attempted to stir up support for a 2016 run for president, but announced during the primary that he would not run.
Now, Mr Bloomberg is reportedly determined to run if Mr Biden, who is being trailed closely by senator Elizabeth Warren in polls, drops out.
Mr Biden’s campaign has been burdened by his frequent gaffes, as well as stories from his past. His health has also been called into question.
Now, Mr Biden's son Hunter is also at the centre of president Donald Trump's attempts to enlist Ukraine's help in stirring up dirt to defeat Democrats in the 2020 election, according to a complaint made by an anonymous whistleblower in September.
Mr Bloomberg has not endorsed any candidate.
He told CBS’s Face the Nation in August that Mr Biden would have to “earn his spurs” to win the Democratic nomination.
“No, I think — and Joe would certainly tell you — that he’s not a lock for the nomination,” he said at the time. “There are 20 candidates, of which the majority of them have a really legitimate chance.”
Many men with past or current jobs in government, including Pete Buttigieg, the mayor of a town in Indiana, and Beto O’Rourke, who served three terms in Congress before losing a senate race in Texas, have joined this year’s Democratic primary, often to frustration and confusion. Mr Bloomberg would likely join this perplexing category, should Mr Biden drop out, and he decide to run.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments