Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has an open contempt for billionaires, and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is no exception.
Speaking at a town hall in New Hampshire, Sanders blasted Bloomberg — who formally confirmed his White House bid on Sunday.
“We do not believe that billionaires have the right to buy elections, and that is why we are going to overturn Citizens United, that is why multi-billionaires like Mr. Bloomberg are not going to get very far in this election, that is why we are going to end voter suppression in America,” Sanders said of the new competition.
Bloomberg is the 9th richest person in the United States and the 14th richest person in the world. He is worth an estimated $57 billion and has announced that he will not be taking political donations and will fund his campaign himself.
I’m disgusted by the idea that Michael Bloomberg or any billionaire thinks they can circumvent the political process and spend tens of millions of dollars to buy elections.
If you can’t build grassroots support for your candidacy, you have no business running for president. https://t.co/jyIBVXUToj
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) November 22, 2019
The Hill reports that Bloomberg has already purchased a $31.5 million ad campaign purchase, the most expensive purchase of any candidate in one week of political advertising. Many of the other Democratic candidates have blasted him for using his wealth to try to influence the election, with Sanders calling the ad purchase “disgusting.”
At a campaign rally, Sen. Bernie Sanders reacts to former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg placing at least $29 million worth of TV advertising over the next two weeks, urging voters to “fight for democracy.” https://t.co/Hs19120u01 pic.twitter.com/3mpuRoeqfX
— CNN (@CNN) November 23, 2019
“Tonight we say to Michael Bloomberg and other billionaires: Sorry you ain’t gonna buy this election,” Sanders said at a campaign stop in Iowa last month.
