2020 VISION
Why is Michael Bloomberg running for US president in 2020 and what causes does he support?
BILLIONAIRE businessman Michael Bloomberg has vowed to take on Trump has he launches his bid for the White House.
But why has the seasoned politician decided to enter the race now - and what has he said about it? Here's the latest.
2
What has he said about running for president?
Bloomberg has previously courted speculation over a Presidential bid - which he quashed in 2008, 2012 and 2016.
He launched his bid on November 24, 2019, saying: "I'm running for president to defeat Donald Trump and rebuild America.
"We cannot afford four more years of President Trump's reckless and unethical actions.
"If he wins another term in office, we may never recover from the damage."
While not a shock, the move is an about-face for Bloomberg, 77, who said in March that he would not make a 2020 run for the White House.
His official confirmation ends weeks of speculation that he might add his voice to a crowded field of White House hopefuls.
One of the world's richest men, he has already put $37million into TV advertising for the first two weeks of his campaign.
He has already filed paperwork to qualify for presidential primary ballots in three states.
On his campaign website, the ex-New York City mayor says: “Defeating Trump – and rebuilding America – is the most urgent and important fight of our lives. And I’m going all in.
“My resolve to stand up to his bigotry and hatred and wrong-headed policies is anchored in who I am and my belief in government as a force for good.
What causes does he support?
He has joined The Giving Pledge, where billionaires pledge to give away at least half of their wealth. To date, he has given away $8.2 billion, including his $1.8 billion gift in 2018 to John Hopkins University for student aid - this was the largest private donation ever made to a higher education institution.
2
What’s his net worth?
As of November 2019, his net worth was estimated at £44.5billion ($57.1billion).
This astounding net worth makes him the 9th richest person in the United States and the 14th richest person in the world.
LATEST IN POLITICS
To date, Bloomberg has given away £6.3billion ($8.2billion), including his November 2018 £1.4billion ($1.8billion) gift to Johns Hopkins University for student aid.
Topics