Michael Bloomberg announces 2020 presidential bid

After speculation that he would run, Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg announced his candidacy.

NOVEMBER 24, 2019 21:22

FILE PHOTO: Former New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg speaks during the Presidential Gun Sense Forum in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S., August 10, 2019 (photo credit: REUTERS/SCOTT MORGAN/FILE PHOTO) — FILE PHOTO: Former New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg speaks during the Presidential Gun Sense Forum in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S., August 10, 2019

(photo credit: REUTERS/SCOTT MORGAN/FILE PHOTO)

Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg announced that he is running for president in a statement on his website.

“I’m running for president to defeat Donald Trump and rebuild America," Bloomberg wrote in the statement. "We cannot afford four more years of President Trump’s reckless and unethical actions. He represents an existential threat to our country and our values."

“If he wins another term in office, we may never recover from the damage.”

Following several reports in American media, Bloomberg tweeted the announcement along with a video detailing his life from childhood to his tenure as the mayor of New York City, including his handling of 9/11, calling himself "a three-term mayor who brought a city back from the ashes." The video also details his post-mayoral philanthropic work and fight against gun violence.

I’m running for president to defeat Donald Trump and rebuild America. I believe my unique set of experiences in business, government, and philanthropy will enable me to win and lead.Join our team: https://t.co/7ezlUeouqH pic.twitter.com/IyOeS3aWaF
— Mike Bloomberg (@MikeBloomberg) November 24, 2019

"America is at its best when we work together to find meaningful and lasting solutions to the big challenges that we face," he wrote.

There was speculation that Bloomberg would enter the race, so much so that Saturday Night Live (SNL) teased the former mayor the night before his announcement.

Reuters reported on Thursday that he filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to run in the US presidential race as a Democrat, but the now-candidate did not announce his bid until Sunday. At that point, he was registered to appear on ballots in Alabama, Arkansas and Texas, according to Reuters.

According to Emerson Polling, former US vice president Joe Biden and Senator Bernie Sanders lead the democratic candidates with 27% and are closely followed by Senator Elizabeth Warren who is polling at 20%.

"I offer the leadership to turn plans into reality. To roll up my sleeves, to motivate a country to unite and rebuild America – and make it fairer and better. And I’m ready to get working," Bloomberg concluded.