Buttigieg and Bloomberg were ruled out as genuine competitors by Trump, according to the book
Fox news on Trump : A new book purports to give light on former President Trump’s thoughts in February 2020, when his approval rating was soaring, and includes several lines expressing his strong loathing for Democratic presidential hopefuls.
According to Wall Street Journal reporter Michael Bender’s book, “Frankly, We Did Win This Election: The Inside Story of How Trump Lost,” Trump would frequently ask his aides which Democrat they were most concerned about in the presidential race and would give reporters on Air Force One play-by-play commentary of a Democratic debate.
NEW BOOK CLAIMS THAT SOME RNC STAFFERS DID NOT VOTE FOR TRUMP IN THE 2020 CAMPAIGN POWER STRUGGLE
“Trump then began delivering his own colour commentary: Bloomberg was brilliant, but not quick,” Bender wrote, recounting a scene in which Trump invited reporters to join him on the plane from Phoenix to Las Vegas to watch the debate.
“Biden had a terrible facelift, Bernie was razor-sharp, and Warren was unpleasant but a great debater,” said one observer.
“But the pinnacle for Trump was Bloomberg’s meltdown when challengers, headed by Warren, grilled him over his history of sexual harassment charges and his support for stop-and-frisk policing,” Bender added.
“Trump crowed with every stammer he saw on-screen. ‘He stutters like Biden!’ Trump exclaimed.”
According to Bender, the Trump team was split over Bloomberg’s candidacy, with some dismissing him, such as adviser Brad Parscale and then-Vice President Mike Pence, while others, such as RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, believed he shouldn’t be written off.
TRUMP, THE GOP FRONT-RUNNER IN 2024, REGULARLY REFERENCES TO THE YEAR 2020
“Trump was also concerned about Bloomberg and needed to be reassured on a regular basis,” Bender wrote.
‘How do you feel about Bloomberg? ‘He’d inquire of guests to the Oval Office.’ “Who are you most concerned about?” says the narrator.
Trump reportedly asked an aide which Democratic candidate would be the most problematic during another time in the presidential campaign, and when the aide said former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Trump reportedly answered, “Buttigieg? That f***ing guy? Nah.”
In February of 2020, Bender wrote, the president appeared to be confident and satisfied with his position in the race.
Bender stated, “The president was feeling emboldened.” “His approval ratings were at an all-time high, he’d fired or transferred many of the administration personnel who had testified against him during the impeachment hearings, and Democrats were disintegrating.”
“I’m the president, and I’m going to be the president,” Trump reportedly told reporters as they walked away from Air Force One after watching the debate. “And you’re finally starting to recognise that!”
Bender’s book contains several controversial disclosures, and Trump referred to him as a “third-rate reporter” in a statement, adding that post-presidency conversations with reporters had been a “complete waste of time.”
Bender responded to Trump’s social media criticism by stating that he stands by his findings.
Read Also
