Editing Michael Bloomberg (section)

== Political positions ==
{{Main|Political positions of Michael Bloomberg}}
[[File:Michael Bloomberg speech cropped (2).jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|Bloomberg delivering a speech in 2004]]

Bloomberg was a [[Democratic Party of the United States|Democrat]] until 2001, when he switched to the [[Republican Party of the United States|Republican Party]] to run for mayor. He switched to an [[Independent politician|independent]] in 2007 and registered again as a Democrat in October 2018.<ref name="Vox1">{{cite web |url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/11/8/18221878/michael-bloomberg-2020-president-campaign-democrat-policies |title=Michael Bloomberg's 2020 presidential campaign and policy positions, explained |last=Stewart |first=Emily |work=Vox |date=November 25, 2019 |access-date=February 15, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/10/10/17959224/michael-bloomberg-democrat-republican-2020-donald-trump |title=Michael Bloomberg is a Democrat again, fueling speculation about 2020 aspirations |last=Stewart |first=Emily |work=Vox |date=October 10, 2018 |access-date=February 15, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Michael-Bloomberg|title=Michael Bloomberg {{!}} Biography, Business, Mayorship, & Facts|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en|access-date=February 28, 2020}}</ref> In 2004, he endorsed the re-election of [[George W. Bush]] and spoke at the [[2004 Republican National Convention]]. He endorsed [[Barack Obama]]'s re-election in 2012, endorsed [[Hillary Clinton]] in the [[2016 United States presidential election|2016 election]], and spoke at the [[2016 Democratic National Convention]].<ref name=politico1>{{cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2019/11/26/bloomberg-republican-endorsement-2020-073807 |title=Mike Bloomberg to donate $10 million to House Democrats targeted by GOP |last=Otterbein |first=Holly |work=Politico |date=November 26, 2019 |access-date=February 15, 2020}}</ref> In 2008, he did not make a presidential election endorsement, but he voted for Obama, according to a 2020 statement by "Stu Loeser, a Bloomberg [2020] campaign spokesman."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Valverde |first1=Miriam |title=Mike Bloomberg exaggerates his support for Obama in 2008, 2012 |url=https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2020/mar/03/michael-bloomberg/mike-bloomberg-exaggerates-his-support-obama-2008-/ |website=PolitiFact |publisher=The Poynter Institute |access-date=30 September 2024 |date=3 March 2020}}</ref>

As Mayor of New York, Bloomberg supported government initiatives in public health and welfare.<ref name="businessinsider" /><ref name=ukspeech>{{cite web |url=https://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/348-07/mayor-bloomberg-delivers-remarks-2007-conservative-party-conference |title=Mayor Bloomberg Delivers Remarks at 2007 Conservative Party Conference |last=Bloomberg |first=Michael |website=nyc.gov |date=September 30, 2007 |access-date=February 18, 2020 |archive-date=February 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218104641/https://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/348-07/mayor-bloomberg-delivers-remarks-2007-conservative-party-conference |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=Luhby>Tami Luhby, [https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/25/politics/bloomberg-smoking-calorie-counts-trans-fat/index.html Three Bloomberg policies all of America now lives with], CNN (February 25, 2020).</ref> This included [[tobacco control]] efforts (including an increase in the legal age to purchase tobacco products, a ban on smoking in indoor workplaces, and an increase in the cigarette tax);<ref name=Luhby /><ref>{{Cite web |work=tobaccofreekids.org |url=https://www.tobaccofreekids.org/blog/2013_11_19_bloomberg1 |title = Mayor Bloomberg Signs Landmark Bills to Further Reduce Smoking in New York City|date = November 20, 2013}}</ref> the elimination of the use of artificial [[trans fats]] in restaurants;<ref name=Luhby /> and bans on all flavored tobacco and e-cigarette products including menthol flavors.<ref>{{Cite web |work=nydailynews.com |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/ny-mike-bloomberg-ecigs-cigarettes-vaping-20200115-5awd5ivmejg5tgbvpm4ujcpxnu-story.html |title = Bloomberg calls for nationwide crackdown on e-cigs|date=January 15, 2020 }}</ref> Bloomberg also launched an unsuccessful effort to [[Sugary drinks portion cap rule|ban on certain large (more than 16 fluid ounce) sugary sodas]] at restaurants and food service establishments in the city.<ref name=Luhby /> These initiatives were supported by public health advocates<ref name=Luhby /><ref name=Badger>{{Cite news |first=Emily |last=Badger |date=October 31, 2013 |url=https://www.citylab.com/equity/2013/10/radical-case-bloombergs-nanny-state/7434/ |work=[[Citylab]] |title = The Radical Case for Bloomberg's 'Nanny' State}}</ref> but were criticized by some as "[[nanny state]]" policies.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Frank |last=James |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2012/05/31/154063100/bloomberg-becomes-for-some-a-nanny-state-symbol-giving-obama-a-breather |title=Bloomberg Becomes Nanny-State Epitome for Some, Giving Obama a Breather |work=NPR |date=May 31, 2012 }}</ref>

Over his career, Bloomberg has "mingled support for progressive causes with more conservative positions on law enforcement, business regulation and [[school choice]]."<ref name=EmpireInfluence>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/02/15/us/politics/michael-bloomberg-spending.html|newspaper=The New York Times|title=Bloomberg's Billions: How the Candidate Built an Empire of Influence|first1=Alexander|last1=Burns|first2=Nicholas|last2=Kulish|date=February 15, 2020|url-access=limited}}</ref> Bloomberg supports gun-control measures, abortion rights, same-sex marriage, and a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants.<ref name="businessinsider">{{cite web |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/who-is-michael-bloomberg-bio-age-family-and-key-positions-2019-11 |title=Michael Bloomberg is running for president in 2020. Here's everything we know about the candidate and how he stacks up against the competition. |last=Relman |first=Eliza |work=Business Insider |date=February 11, 2020 |access-date=February 15, 2020}}</ref> He advocates for a [[public health insurance option]] that he has called "Medicare for all for people that are uncovered" rather than a universal [[single-payer healthcare]] system.<ref name="businessinsider" /> He is concerned about [[climate change]] and has touted his mayoral efforts to reduce [[greenhouse gases]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/michael-bloomberg-talks-climate-change-article-1.2511688 |title=Michael Bloomberg talks climate change with UN |first=Jennifer |last=Fermino |date=January 27, 2016 |work=NY Daily News}}</ref> Bloomberg supported the [[Iraq War]] and opposed creating a timeline for withdrawing troops.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.city-journal.org/bloomberg-foreign-policy-presidential-run |title=The Mayor and the World |last=Miller |first=Judith |author-link=Judith Miller |work=[[City Journal]] |date=November 11, 2019 |access-date=February 15, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Manchester |first1=Julia |title=Bloomberg on backing 2003 invasion of Iraq: 'I don't live in a regret world' |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/477144-bloomberg-on-backing-2003-invasion-of-iraq-i-dont-live-in-a-regret-world |website=The Hill |access-date=February 18, 2020|date=January 7, 2020 }}</ref> Bloomberg has sometimes embraced the use of [[surveillance]] in efforts to deter crime and protect against terrorism.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-newyork-surveillance/bloomberg-defends-city-surveillance-camera-plan-idUSN0243142020071002 |title=Bloomberg defends city surveillance camera plan |author=Honan, Edith |work=Reuters |date=October 2, 2007 |access-date=February 15, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://observer.com/2013/04/bloomberg-says-post-boston-interpretation-of-the-constitution-will-have-to-change/ |title=Bloomberg Says Interpretation of Constitution Will 'Have to Change' After Boston Bombing |last=Colvin |first=Jill |work=Observer |date=April 22, 2013 |access-date=February 16, 2020}}</ref>

During and after<ref name=mcharris /> his tenure, he was a staunch supporter of [[Stop-and-frisk in New York City|stop-and-frisk]]. In November 2019, Bloomberg apologized for supporting it.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Goldmacher |first1=Shane |title=Michael Bloomberg Pushed 'Stop-and-Frisk' Policing. Now He's Apologizing. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/17/us/politics/michael-bloomberg-speech.html |work=The New York Times |date=November 17, 2019 |access-date=February 18, 2020 |url-access=limited}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.democracynow.org/2020/2/12/michael_bloomberg_aspen_2015_unearthed_audio |work=[[Democracy Now!]] |date=February 12, 2020 |first=Amy |last=Goodman |author-link=Amy Goodman |title = Meet the Journalist Who Exposed Bloomberg's Racist Defense of Targeting Black & Brown Youth}}</ref><ref name=mcharris>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/02/16/should-mike-bloombergs-stop-and-frisk-record-disqualify-him/ |title=Should Mike Bloomberg's stop-and-frisk record disqualify him? |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=February 16, 2020 |first=Philip V. |last=McHarris |access-date=February 18, 2020 }}</ref> He advocates reversing many of the [[Trump tax cuts]]. His own tax plan includes implementing a 5 percent surtax on incomes above $5&nbsp;million a year and would raise federal revenue by $5&nbsp;trillion over a decade. He opposes a [[wealth tax]], saying that it would likely be found unconstitutional.<ref name="tax plan 2020">{{cite news |title=Bloomberg Proposes $5 Trillion in Taxes on the Rich and Corporations |first1=Jim |last1=Tankersley |first2=Alexander |last2=Burns |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/01/us/politics/michael-bloomberg-tax-plan.html |access-date=February 16, 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=February 1, 2020 |url-access=limited}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Hirsch |first=Lauren |title='I will pay more': Bloomberg unveils $5 trillion tax plan targeting the wealthy and corporations |date=February 1, 2020 |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/01/billionaire-mike-bloomberg-calls-for-tax-on-incomes-over-5-million.html |website=CNBC |access-date=February 16, 2020}}</ref> He has also proposed more stringent financial regulations that include tougher oversight for big banks, a [[financial transactions tax]], and stronger consumer protections.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Merle |first1=Renae |title=Bloomberg's new plan to crack down on Wall Street includes financial transactions tax |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/02/18/bloombergs-new-plan-crack-down-wall-street-includes-financial-transactions-tax/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=February 18, 2020 |date=February 18, 2020}}</ref> He supported decreasing estate-tax threshold to collect more estate taxes and close tax avoidance schemes. According to [[ProPublica]] investigation he set up multiple [[Grantor retained annuity trust|GRATs]] thus shielding parts of his fortune for his heirs.<ref>{{cite web |title=More Than Half of America's 100 Richest People Exploit Special Trusts to Avoid Estate Taxes |url=https://www.propublica.org/article/more-than-half-of-americas-100-richest-people-exploit-special-trusts-to-avoid-estate-taxes |website=ProPublica |date=September 28, 2021 |access-date=1 October 2021}}</ref>

Bloomberg stated that running as a Democrat{{snd}}not an independent{{snd}}was the only path he saw to defeating [[Donald Trump]], saying: "In 2020, the great likelihood is that an independent would just split the anti-Trump vote and end up re-electing the President. That's a risk I refused to run in 2016 and we can't afford to run it now."<ref name="Vox1" />

In the [[2020 United States presidential election|2020 general election]], Bloomberg invested $115 million in [[Joe Biden 2020 presidential campaign|Joe Biden's campaign]] in key states like [[Florida]], [[Ohio]], and [[Texas]], contributed millions to various Democrats in local races, and raised over $16 million to clear court fines for nearly 32,000 Black and Hispanic Florida voters with felony convictions.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.businessinsider.com/bloomberg-spent-1-billion-ads-races-losses-2020-11 | title=Michael Bloomberg spent $1 billion this election cycle and is coming away with huge losses | website=[[Business Insider]] |last=Dzhanova |first=Yelena |date=November 4, 2020 |access-date=December 29, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/mike-bloomberg-raises-16-million-to-allow-former-felons-to-vote-in-florida/2020/09/21/6dda787e-fc5a-11ea-8d05-9beaaa91c71f_story.html |title=Mike Bloomberg raises $16 million to allow former felons to vote in Florida |newspaper=The Washington Post |last=Scherer |first=Michael |date=September 22, 2020 |access-date=December 29, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/517522-bloomberg-pays-fines-for-32000-felons-in-florida-so-they-can-vote/ | title=Bloomberg pays fines for 32,000 felons in Florida so they can vote |work=The Hill |last=Mastrangelo |first=Dominick | date=September 22, 2020 |access-date=December 29, 2023}}</ref> Bloomberg contributed $19&nbsp;million to a pro-Biden super PAC in support of [[Joe Biden 2024 presidential campaign|Biden's reelection]] in 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Scherer |first1=Michael |last2=Pager |first2=Tyler |date=June 20, 2024 |title=Mike Bloomberg gives $20 million to help Biden beat Trump |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/06/20/mike-bloomberg-biden-20-million-donation-trump/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=June 20, 2024}}</ref> In October 2024, Bloomberg contributed $50 million to support [[Kamala Harris|Kamala Harris's]] [[Kamala Harris 2024 presidential campaign|2024 election campaign]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Schleifer |first1=Theodore |title=Bloomberg, After Months of Pressure, Donates $50 Million to Help Harris |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/28/us/elections/michael-bloomberg-presidential-race-donations.html |access-date=29 October 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=28 October 2024}}</ref>