Battling billionaires: Trump and candidate Bloomberg swap insults and attacks

By Jason Lange

 

FILE PHOTO: Democratic presidential candidate, former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg, speaks before the United States Conference of Mayors in Washington, U.S., January 22, 2020. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump fired off a new round of Twitter insults aimed at political rival Michael Bloomberg on Thursday, shortly after the Democratic presidential candidate's campaign debuted a new television ad attacking the Republican seeking re-election.

 

Trump mocked Bloomberg's height, called the entirety of the Democratic field of candidates "clowns" and dismissed the idea that the former New York City mayor would help the ultimate Democratic nominee in the general election.

 

Bloomberg shot back on Twitter: "It shouldn't be this easy to distract the President of the United States."

 

Bloomberg might be getting under Trump's skin with attack ads, part of a campaign focused on the president with an estimated cost so far above $200 million.

 

All of Bloomberg's advertising spending has come from his personal wealth. And he has pledged to spend millions more before the November election - regardless of whether he wins the Democratic nomination.

 

In 2016, Trump spent about $66 million of his own money to secure the Republican nomination and then relied on donors in the general election.

 

The two men are among the most wealthy to run for president. Bloomberg's personal fortune - estimated by Forbes magazine to be around $60 billion - dwarfs Trump's own estimated wealth of around $3 billion.

 

Trump recently criticized Bloomberg in a television interview on CNBC and echoed some of the criticism on Thursday.

 

"When Mini losses, he will be spending very little of his money on these 'clowns' because he will consider himself to be the biggest clown of them all - and he will be right!" Trump wrote on Twitter.

 

Trump, who has a propensity for coining derisive nicknames for his political rivals, recently began referring to Bloomberg as "Mini Mike," a reference to the former mayor's height of about 5 feet, 8 inches (1.72 meters). Trump is several inches taller.

 

Trump's tweet came shortly after Bloomberg's campaign unveiled the new ad on a conservative morning news programme Trump is known to watch.

 

The ad blasted Trump as "an erratic and out of control president" who had reportedly belittled military staff at a meeting in 2017, as depicted in a newly released book by a pair of Washington Post reporters.

 

It is unclear why Trump thinks Bloomberg would renege on his pledge to spend heavily to help the Democrats beat Trump in the November presidential election even if Bloomberg is not the eventual candidate. He spent around $100 million in 2018 helping Democrats win midterm elections.

 

(Reporting by Jason Lange; Editing by Ginger Gibson and Bill Berkrot)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-01-24

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1 hour ago, webfact said:

Battling billionaires: Trump and candidate Bloomberg swap insults and attacks

When do we get to see them in a gladiators type fight - and will it be to the death?

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Trump, who has a propensity for coining derisive nicknames for his political rivals, recently began referring to Bloomberg as "Mini Mike," a reference to the former mayor's height of about 5 feet, 8 inches (1.72 meters). Trump is several inches taller.

Classic bully tactic and quite childish.  One thing I've noticed is that Trump would never insult Putin about his height, even though Putin is even shorter than Bloomberg.  Wonder why that is? 

5 minutes ago, Berkshire said:

Classic bully tactic and quite childish.  One thing I've noticed is that Trump would never insult Putin about his height, even though Putin is even shorter than Bloomberg.  Wonder why that is? 

Maybe our him to much money?

5 hours ago, bluesofa said:

When do we get to see them in a gladiators type fight - and will it be to the death?

We can but dream.

4 hours ago, Berkshire said:

Classic bully tactic and quite childish.  One thing I've noticed is that Trump would never insult Putin about his height, even though Putin is even shorter than Bloomberg.  Wonder why that is? 

Because Putin has the goods on Trump, and Trump is in his pocket? 

Troll posts and the replies have been removed. 

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Trump, who has a propensity for coining derisive nicknames for his political rivals, recently began referring to Bloomberg as "Mini Mike," a reference to the former mayor's height of about 5 feet, 8 inches (1.72 meters). Trump is several inches taller.

 

And the Impeached Reality TV Con Man is also many inches wider.

7 hours ago, webfact said:

It is unclear why Trump thinks Bloomberg would renege on his pledge to spend heavily to help the Democrats beat Trump in the November presidential election even if Bloomberg is not the eventual candidate. He spent around $100 million in 2018 helping Democrats win midterm elections.

 

It is unclear why the Impeached Reality TV Con Man thinks up anything. He probably got fed some information by Fox and Friends or Hannity.

Well, Mike makes Trump very insecure. After all, he outclasses him in nearly every department, except height. He is worth $50 billion more. He has no debt. Trump has at least $700 million in debt, maybe far more. Also, Mike has never had to commit bank fraud to get a loan, as the president has done on multiple occasions. In addition, Mike has never had to declare bankruptcy, due to his lack of business savvy, and lack of negotiating skills. And Mike has 50-70 additional IQ points, over the deceptor in chief. And alot of political experience. Plus grace, dignity, respect, honor and a great deal of success. The only thing Mike does not do as well as Trump is the art of the swindle. I am hoping Mike wipes Trump off the map. 

55 minutes ago, animalmagic said:

We can but dream.

I'm dreaming of them killing each other simultaneously.

 

The TDS crew are always good for a chuckle.

Bloomberg is a real billionaire with tax and financial records to prove it. Trump is like his bank account empty and full of hot air.Strange a man who claims he is smart and a genius has to resort to insults to get attention. Powerful people generally get attention by their actions and positive comments. Well I guess each to his own.I know who I would support.

More smoke and mirrors for the masses! ????

Bloomberg put his adds on Fox News too, in order to make sure Trump sees them! ????

Good tactic! Small people also vote! It's too bad Trump doesn't call any known opponent fatty as there are many overweight voters in the US.

 

7 hours ago, Berkshire said:

Classic bully tactic and quite childish.  One thing I've noticed is that Trump would never insult Putin about his height, even though Putin is even shorter than Bloomberg.  Wonder why that is? 

Are you still going on about the Russia hoax? Geez man, get a hold of yourself. 

3 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Well, Mike makes Trump very insecure. After all, he outclasses him in nearly every department, except height. He is worth $50 billion more. He has no debt. Trump has at least $700 million in debt, maybe far more. Also, Mike has never had to commit bank fraud to get a loan, as the president has done on multiple occasions. In addition, Mike has never had to declare bankruptcy, due to his lack of business savvy, and lack of negotiating skills. And Mike has 50-70 additional IQ points, over the deceptor in chief. And alot of political experience. Plus grace, dignity, respect, honor and a great deal of success. The only thing Mike does not do as well as Trump is the art of the swindle. I am hoping Mike wipes Trump off the map. 

Well now, there is certainly a lot of vitriol there. 

 

Mike lacks one important thing, a personality that people can get behind and a clear list of policies that have actually worked. 

 

Now que the TDS symphony for the next round of insults...... 

7 minutes ago, Chiphigh said:

Are you still going on about the Russia hoax? Geez man, get a hold of yourself. 

Hoax, what hoax? It has been proven Russia helped get Trump elected.

8 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Hoax, what hoax? It has been proven Russia helped get Trump elected.

not for the Trump lovers, they keep denying it, even if Trump was caught with one hand in the candy jar they would deny it....

Between the two one of them is a mensch. I think a Bloomberg 45 face off is what should happen. 

10 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Hoax, what hoax? It has been proven Russia helped get Trump elected.

It has been "proven" in what way precisely? I mean actual data from named sources. Not a quote from anonymous sources or agencies, actual people with actual data. 

 

May I have the data that shows he would not have won if not for the mystical Russian influence on voters please. I know you must have it handy for reference. 

 

Thank you 

2 hours ago, DoctorG said:

The TDS crew are always good for a chuckle.

3 years of the emotional strain and they still want more.... 

4 minutes ago, Chiphigh said:

It has been "proven" in what way precisely? I mean actual data from named sources. Not a quote from anonymous sources or agencies, actual people with actual data. 

 

May I have the data that shows he would not have won if not for the mystical Russian influence on voters please. I know you must have it handy for reference. 

 

Thank you 

Sorry, it is not up to me to keep you up to date.

 

Your paragraph about who would have won if not for russian interference is irrelevant to your earlier claim.

 

You're welcome.

 

'stay informed' would have been better than 'keeping up to date'.

Edited January 24, 20206 yr by stevenl
Addition.

3 minutes ago, Chiphigh said:

3 years of the emotional strain and they still want more.... 

That's part of 45 cult of personality ideology - - to claim everyone in opposition of the cult is mentally ill. 

25 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Sorry, it is not up to me to keep you up to date.

 

Your paragraph about who would have won if not for russian interference is irrelevant to your earlier claim.

 

You're welcome.

 

'stay informed' would have been better than 'keeping up to date'.

Let the record show that you can't provide any factual reference for the claims made that there was any effect on the election results.

 

Let me guess, if he is reelected, it will be by some other excuse other than a legitimate result. The narrative is already being parroted by the house democrats. So get on board! 

24 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

That's part of 45 cult of personality ideology - - to claim everyone in opposition of the cult is mentally ill. 

I believe the left does that constantly sir. 

21 minutes ago, Chiphigh said:

It has been "proven" in what way precisely? I mean actual data from named sources. Not a quote from anonymous sources or agencies, actual people with actual data. 

 

May I have the data that shows he would not have won if not for the mystical Russian influence on voters please. I know you must have it handy for reference. 

 

Thank you 

What are you exactly talking about? It looks like you are (following Trump's example) confusing between two or three issues:

1. Russia tried to influence elections: it has been documented and confirmed by all agencies, committees, etc... There is no doubt about it.

2. With which impact? It is likely it had an impact, in particular the Clinton's email leak, but to be frank, it cannot be calculated

3. Did Trump conspire with Russian? It has not been confirmed nor debunked. Contacts have been made, but That's all we are sure of.

Bloomberg is the best Democratic candidate the party had since Obama, even better, specially for the USA´s economy. Just because he do not need the Presidency to get rich. I hope this time Americans will chose with common sense, because our World is going to a destruction in every way possible. All the evidences did shows that Trump´s fortune in 2016 was not more than 1 billion....with the same in debts. It was also probed that Trump did not used his own money for the campaign. If now his fortune is estimated in 3 billions, guess what was Trump´s interest in becoming the President of the richest country in the world.

26 minutes ago, Chiphigh said:

Let the record show that you can't provide any factual reference for the claims made that there was any effect on the election results.

 

Let me guess, if he is reelected, it will be by some other excuse other than a legitimate result. The narrative is already being parroted by the house democrats. So get on board! 

See fbi, cia, Muller, senate and Congress committees.

Proven that Russia influenced the election.

 

And please refrain from changing the argument.

Edited January 24, 20206 yr by stevenl

23 minutes ago, candide said:

What are you exactly talking about? It looks like you are (following Trump's example) confusing between two or three issues:

1. Russia tried to influence elections: it has been documented and confirmed by all agencies, committees, etc... There is no doubt about it.

2. With which impact? It is likely it had an impact, in particular the Clinton's email leak, but to be frank, it cannot be calculated

3. Did Trump conspire with Russian? It has not been confirmed nor debunked. Contacts have been made, but That's all we are sure of.

1. Russia has been trying to influence elections before, what makes this past one any different? Are you insinuating the election is not legitimate? Yes or no? 

 

2.it is likely? What Kind of factual reference is that? "it can't be calculated" is the same as it is not a valid point. And it isn't 

 

3 Mueller report specifically stated there was no collusion, in fact he stated that the trump team refused to on several occasions. THAT IS A FACT. 

https://apnews.com/7b7d698b9a660997f5e755d92b775d98