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.”
Eric Swalwell, Man Who Quit Congress In Part Due to Improper Contact With Staffers on Snapchat, Still Contacting Staffers on Snapchat
Trump administration to close Potomac golf course for championship-level renovations
After Spirit Airlines Goes Bust, Remember How Biden, Warren Stopped Merger to Save Airline Because It’d Mean ‘Fewer Flights’
Trump troop cuts in Europe could be blocked by Congress — here’s how he might get around it
Communist and socialist groups call for ‘revolution’ and seizure of property at Minneapolis May Day rally
Female Accused Would-Be Trump Assassin Walks Free Days After Third Assassination Attempt
Trump Greenlights ‘Keystone Light’ Pipeline to Help Replace Oil Source Infamously Blocked on Biden’s Day 1
ICE lines up to boot illegal immigrant child sex predator after bogus asylum claim, early prison release
Beloved crossing guard killed by alleged drunk driver while helping kids cross the street in Louisiana
Mamdani allocates $500K for reparations talks as NYC faces $5.4B deficit
‘New Democrat party’: Senate GOP sounds off on ‘extreme’ Graham Platner as Senate race in Maine heats up
Would-Be Trump Assassin Wasn’t Only One Encountering ‘Insane’ Security Arrangement at Glitzy Dinner
Report: Biden Admin Hid Planned Parenthood Loan Discussions Using Code Word ‘Benghazi’
Universities face funding threat as lawmakers target schools with ties to adversarial nations
Supreme Court scrambles 2026 maps, sets up larger redistricting fight beyond
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.
Eric Swalwell, Man Who Quit Congress In Part Due to Improper Contact With Staffers on Snapchat, Still Contacting Staffers on Snapchat
Trump administration to close Potomac golf course for championship-level renovations
After Spirit Airlines Goes Bust, Remember How Biden, Warren Stopped Merger to Save Airline Because It’d Mean ‘Fewer Flights’
Trump troop cuts in Europe could be blocked by Congress — here’s how he might get around it
Communist and socialist groups call for ‘revolution’ and seizure of property at Minneapolis May Day rally
Female Accused Would-Be Trump Assassin Walks Free Days After Third Assassination Attempt
Trump Greenlights ‘Keystone Light’ Pipeline to Help Replace Oil Source Infamously Blocked on Biden’s Day 1
ICE lines up to boot illegal immigrant child sex predator after bogus asylum claim, early prison release
Beloved crossing guard killed by alleged drunk driver while helping kids cross the street in Louisiana
Mamdani allocates $500K for reparations talks as NYC faces $5.4B deficit
‘New Democrat party’: Senate GOP sounds off on ‘extreme’ Graham Platner as Senate race in Maine heats up
Would-Be Trump Assassin Wasn’t Only One Encountering ‘Insane’ Security Arrangement at Glitzy Dinner
Report: Biden Admin Hid Planned Parenthood Loan Discussions Using Code Word ‘Benghazi’
Universities face funding threat as lawmakers target schools with ties to adversarial nations
Supreme Court scrambles 2026 maps, sets up larger redistricting fight beyond
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.
