While businessman Michael Bloomberg has only been running the Democratic presidential primary for several months, the former New York City mayor has already developed a reputation for producing cringe-worthy campaign content.
Team Bloomberg’s latest public relations fail is only ten seconds long, but may be one of the worst attempts at humor yet.
In the clip, the candidate poses for a cameraman and asks: “Where is my ice cream?” An offscreen assistant proceeds to hand Bloomberg a small container of the frozen treat, featuring a cone with rainbow swirl.
“Mmmh,” Bloomberg after shoveling a healthy scoop of ice cream into his mouth. “Big Gay Ice Cream is the best,” says the candidate, refering to the ice-cream’s brand.
@biggayicecream pic.twitter.com/ftKPL9oRsy
— Team Bloomberg (@Mike2020) January 29, 2020
In reaction to the video, the internet exploded with a mixture of confusion and joking at Bloomberg’s expense.
“This pandering, cringey clip being posted publicly should be enough to disqualify you,” tweeted Robby Starbuck, a director and producer.
“This is offensive to people with dairy allergies,” said talk radio host Ken Webster. “This is Pocahontas caliber of pandering,” replied another user.
“Congrats. That was just as cringeworthy as Hillary Clinton’s “Just chillin’ in Cedar Rapids!” moment. Not an easy feat,” said another user, referencing a 2015 video in which the failed presidential candidate shows off her “Chillary” drink koozie.
As The Daily Wire previously reported, Bloomberg has been trying hard to occupy the 2020 Democratic primary’s desperate content niche. During the most recent debate, the former mayor’s campaign Twitter account posted a variety of bizarre statements and photos designed to generate attention, including a plate of meatballs with Bloomberg’s face on it.
Michael Bloomberg appears to have deleted this tweet pic.twitter.com/UDy0d6BRra
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) January 15, 2020
In another tweet, the Bloomberg campaign requested people send “self-addressed, stamped” envelopes to the campaign office, so that the campaign could send them back “a sample” of Bloomberg’s “spicy guacamole.”
What’s your #DemDebate #DebateSnack? If you want to sample Mike’s spicy guacamole, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Mike 2020 headquarters and Mike will send you a scoop!
— Team Bloomberg (@Mike2020) January 15, 2020
While it remains unclear if the campaign’s Twitter strategy is actually working, Bloomberg has continued to rise in national polls, and is now ahead of Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor who was once considered a rising star in the Democratic Party.
The poll, which was conducted by Morning Consult, shows Bloomberg at 12% and Buttigieg at 7%. Notably, Bloomberg is also within striking distance of Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), who is polling at 14%. However, according to the RealClearPolitics average, Bloomberg still has far to go before he can catch up to Warren.
Bloomberg has also drawn attention for his unorthodox campaign strategy: Avoiding the early-voting primary states all together, and competing for the first time during Super Tuesday on March 3, after Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada have voted.
As The Daily Wire previously reported, President Trump has criticized Bloomberg for his primary strategy — which also involves not participating in the small-donor requirement of the debates — saying that if the former mayor did participate in the debates, he would “go down in the polls.”
“Mini Mike Bloomberg ads are purposely wrong — A vanity project for him to get into the game,” tweeted the president earlier this month. “Nobody in many years has done for the USA what I have done for the USA, including the greatest economy in history, rebuilding our military, biggest ever tax & regulation cuts, & 2nd A!”
Mini Mike Bloomberg ads are purposely wrong – A vanity project for him to get into the game. Nobody in many years has done for the USA what I have done for the USA, including the greatest economy in history, rebuilding our military, biggest ever tax & regulation cuts, & 2nd A!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 17, 2020
“Mini Mike Bloomberg doesn’t get on the Democrat Debate Stage because he doesn’t want to,” tweeted Trump. “He is a terrible debater and speaker. If he did, he would go down in the polls even more (if that is possible!).”
Mini Mike Bloomberg doesn’t get on the Democrat Debate Stage because he doesn’t want to – he is a terrible debater and speaker. If he did, he would go down in the polls even more (if that is possible!).
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 17, 2020