Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg raised eyebrows during Tuesday’s Democratic debate in Charleston, South Carolina, when he nearly said he bought seats in the House of Representatives in the 2018 midterm elections.
"They talk about 40 Democrats, 21 of those are people that I spent $100 million to help elect," Bloomberg said. "All of the new Democrats that came in put [House Speaker] Nancy Pelosi in charge and gave Congress the ability to control this president."
"I bough—I uh, got them," he added.
Michael Bloomberg: I spent $100 million to help elect 21 Democrats to the House of Representatives.
— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) February 26, 2020
"I bought. I got them."#DemDebate pic.twitter.com/L2yCXijyj8
Hey AG Barr -- you watching the #DemDebate? https://t.co/91AycIKoEi
— toddstarnes (@toddstarnes) February 26, 2020
"I bought them." Bloomberg bragged about buying Dem House seats that made Pelosi speaker.
— Steve Scalise (@SteveScaliseGOP) February 26, 2020
Now he's trying to buy this election. We can't let him.
The Dem majority he bought is a disaster. No amount of money will convince Americans Dems can handle running the country.#DemDebate pic.twitter.com/q4GJcis8oG
Bloomberg's Democratic rivals have hammered his financial influence in past elections and accused him of buying his way into the 2020 race.
“He thinks he can buy this election,” Sen. Bernie Sanders said recently at a rally in Reno. “Well, I’ve got news for Mr. Bloomberg — the American people are sick and tired of billionaires buying elections!”
Even President Trump has blasted the former mayor for trying to "illegally" buy the Democratic nomination.
.....Mini is illegally buying the Democrat Nomination. They are taking it away from Bernie again. Mini Mike, Major Party Nominations are not for sale! Good luck in the debate tomorrow night and remember, no standing on boxes!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 18, 2020