Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg took aim at the Democratic Party this week, accusing its leaders of concealing President Joe Biden’s physical and mental decline right up until they replaced him with Vice President Kamala Harris as the party’s nominee. In a scathing op-ed published on Thursday, Bloomberg analyzed the aftermath of Donald Trump’s resounding victory over Harris, urging Democrats to reflect on their missteps.
“Democrats might ask themselves how exactly they lost to Trump,” Bloomberg wrote, referring to the 78-year-old president-elect who, he noted, “much of the country despises.” He didn’t mince words, adding, “It probably wasn’t great to cover up President Joe Biden’s infirmities until they became undeniable on live TV.”
Bloomberg further criticized the party’s decision to substitute Biden with Harris, calling it far from “ideal.” He pointed out that Harris had received no electoral votes in her previous presidential run and had struggled to gain support. “It wasn’t the best move for party elders to replace Biden with a nominee who had decisively failed in a previous campaign,” Bloomberg remarked.
Biden, now 81, ended his reelection campaign in July, following a disastrous debate performance that left even his staunchest allies questioning his viability as a candidate. Polling had long shown concerns about Biden’s age, with an August 2023 AP-NORC poll revealing that 77% of Americans believed he was too old to serve another term effectively. Biden officially stepped aside on July 21 after increasing pressure from Democratic leaders, including former President Barack Obama and ex-Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Upon bowing out, Biden endorsed Kamala Harris and handed over his campaign infrastructure to her, setting the stage for the vice president’s unsuccessful bid against Trump. Bloomberg’s criticism extended to his own party’s handling of the transition, suggesting that the rushed and secretive process to back Harris may have contributed to the loss.
According to The New York Times, Bloomberg reluctantly donated $50 million to a nonprofit supporting Harris’ campaign. This amount was significantly lower than his previous contributions, reflecting his lack of enthusiasm for Harris as a candidate. In private conversations, Bloomberg reportedly told associates he was unimpressed with Harris, expressing doubts about her ability to defeat Trump. His concerns were echoed by Democratic insiders, who noted Bloomberg’s insistence on secrecy when making the donation.
Bloomberg’s reluctance to fund Harris stood in stark contrast to his previous spending. In 2018, he donated $95 million to help Democrats win the mid-term elections, and in 2020, he poured over $250 million into efforts to thwart Trump’s reelection, including $100 million specifically aimed at boosting Biden’s campaign in Florida — a state Trump ultimately won handily.
This election cycle, however, Bloomberg was hesitant to donate after Biden’s exit. It wasn’t until Harris’ aides met with him at his headquarters and sought his input on her economic and housing plans that he decided to contribute. Bloomberg’s $50 million donation to Harris was a fraction of what he spent in previous years, underscoring his lack of confidence in the Democratic nominee.
Bloomberg’s candid critique signals broader discontent within the party over the decision to back Harris in place of Biden. His op-ed highlights the strategic blunders and internal misgivings that may have contributed to Trump’s victory, as Democrats now face tough questions about the party’s direction and leadership going forward.