Bloomberg almost accidentally claims he ‘bought’ Congress

It was a very telling slip of the tongue.

David Covucci

Tech

Posted on Feb 25, 2020 Updated on Jan 27, 2021, 10:57 pm CST

Since he entered the race, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has been accused of using his vast fortune to “buy” the Democratic primary.

And on the debate stage Tuesday night, Bloomberg almost gave away the game.

While talking about electability and down-ballot races in 2020, Bloomberg touted his wealth that he used to help get over 40 Democrats elected to Congress in 2020.

Except he almost claimed he “bought” Congress.

Bloomberg came within a hair's breadth of saying he *bought* the Democratic majority in the House and caught himself as it came out of his mouth pic.twitter.com/DG0keVMo2J
— Brandon Wall (@Walldo) February 26, 2020

Bloomberg has said he spent over $100 million on those races. And while he caught himself before finishing the thought, people online thought it was a Freudian slip that revealed what Bloomberg really thinks his money might buy him.

"I bough– I got them" — a Freudian slip from Bloomberg pic.twitter.com/tE9ANV711D
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 26, 2020

https://twitter.com/jelani9/status/1232479434914947072

Michael Bloomberg accidentally starts saying “I bought them” in reference to the dozens of freshmen House members who helped flip the house to blue.

Tough slip.
— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) February 26, 2020

https://twitter.com/esaagar/status/1232479347551985667

Bloomberg bragging that he bought congressional seats is offensive. Those candidates ran hard and won.
— Ben Rhodes (@brhodes) February 26, 2020

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*First Published: Feb 25, 2020, 8:03 pm CST

David Covucci

David Covucci is the senior politics and technology editor at the Daily Dot, covering the nexus between Washington and Silicon Valley. His work has appeared in Vice, the Huffington Post, Jezebel, Gothamist, and other publications. He is particularly interested in hearing any tips you have. Reach out at dcovucci@thedailydot.com.

Bloomberg almost accidentally claims he ‘bought’ Congress

It was a very telling slip of the tongue.

David Covucci

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