Michael Bloomberg has said he will eat at a Chinese restaurant in the coming days to show solidarity with businesses who have been hit by public fears about coronavirus.
The multi-billionaire and Democratic presidential candidate made the pledge during a Fox News town hall event in Virginia as he hopes to kickstart his 2020 campaign with a strong performance in Super Tuesday this week.
Mr Bloomberg was asked by Fox News’ Bret Baier how he would deal with the impact of coronavirus on the US economy.
“It’s not the economics, it’s the people that are afraid to go out,” he replied, as he argued financial solutions, such as tax cuts, were not the only way to help businesses during the outbreak.
“Go to Chinese restaurants all across the country here in America, where there’s no reason to think whatsoever that you’re going to catch the flu but people aren’t patronising them.”
Unsung heroes of 2025: First responders and everyday Americans who saved lives across US
Police Say Mom and Boyfriend Murdered 12-Year-Old, Lied to Continue Collecting Food Stamps
Head of America’s ‘free enterprise’ college optimistic about academia despite left-wing bias: ‘there is hope’
Trump, Zelenskyy to meet Sunday, as Ukrainian leader vows country will ‘do whatever it takes’ to end war
Tragic: Man Plunges 230 Feet to His Death During Ski Lift Collision with His Wife Sitting Next to Him
How drone warfare developed in Ukraine in 2025
Ranking the four best and four worst Trump administration Cabinet members
‘Unlucky’ Honduran woman arrested after allegedly running red light and crashing into ICE vehicle
Elon Musk warns ‘people will die’ over Mamdani’s FDNY commissioner pick, Lillian Bonsignore
FBI ramps up counter-drone efforts as Patel warns of growing threats from criminals, terrorists
DHS official rips Kilmar Abrego Garcia for ‘making TikToks’ while agency faces gag order
Walz slammed in wake of viral video that raises daycare funding questions: ‘Needs to be held accountable’
Florida bell ringer allegedly tries to ‘impale’ store manager with donation tripod while drunk
Year in focus: Images that defined America in 2025
Affordability: The issue that boosted Trump and Republicans in 2024 deflated them in 2025
Mr Bloomberg added: “I thought to myself tonight, ‘I’m going to go to a Chinese restaurant’ — it actually turns out I can’t — but I will do it tomorrow night just to show the flag and help them.”
The 78-year-old businessman has based his unconventional campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination on winning big on Tuesday, when voting takes place in 14 states.
Mr Bloomberg has opted to ignore early states, such as Iowa and New Hampshire, which are normally seen as an indicator of who will win the nomination, and has spent vast sums of money from his personal fortune to fund his campaign.
The former mayor of New York has spent more than $501m (£392m) on television, radio and digital advertising since entering the race, according to CNN.
On Sunday night, he broadcast a three-minute advert on the coronavirus outbreak that mimicked a presidential TV address and reportedly cost more than $1.5m.
Unsung heroes of 2025: First responders and everyday Americans who saved lives across US
Police Say Mom and Boyfriend Murdered 12-Year-Old, Lied to Continue Collecting Food Stamps
Head of America’s ‘free enterprise’ college optimistic about academia despite left-wing bias: ‘there is hope’
Trump, Zelenskyy to meet Sunday, as Ukrainian leader vows country will ‘do whatever it takes’ to end war
Tragic: Man Plunges 230 Feet to His Death During Ski Lift Collision with His Wife Sitting Next to Him
How drone warfare developed in Ukraine in 2025
Ranking the four best and four worst Trump administration Cabinet members
‘Unlucky’ Honduran woman arrested after allegedly running red light and crashing into ICE vehicle
Elon Musk warns ‘people will die’ over Mamdani’s FDNY commissioner pick, Lillian Bonsignore
FBI ramps up counter-drone efforts as Patel warns of growing threats from criminals, terrorists
DHS official rips Kilmar Abrego Garcia for ‘making TikToks’ while agency faces gag order
Walz slammed in wake of viral video that raises daycare funding questions: ‘Needs to be held accountable’
Florida bell ringer allegedly tries to ‘impale’ store manager with donation tripod while drunk
Year in focus: Images that defined America in 2025
Affordability: The issue that boosted Trump and Republicans in 2024 deflated them in 2025
Critics of the businessman have accused him of attempting to buy the nomination with his personal wealth, by ignoring traditional campaign events and spending huge amounts of money on advertising.
During a bruising Democratic debate last month, Mr Bloomberg was also targeted by another Democratic candidate, Elizabeth Warren, over his past comments about women and the use of non-disclosure agreements at his company.
“I’d like to talk about who we are running against. A billionaire who calls women fat broads and horse-faced lesbians. And no, I am not talking about Donald Trump. I am talking about Mayor Bloomberg,” Ms Warren said during the debate.
“Look, I’ll support whoever the Democratic nominee is, but understand this, Democrats take a huge risk if we just substitute one arrogant billionaire for another.”
As of Tuesday morning, Mr Bloomberg was in third place in the Democratic race, according to a polling average from RealClearPolitics.
Story cited here.
