While Joe Biden celebrated his win in the South Carolina primary in Columbia, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg was at the University Hilton in Charlotte Saturday night speaking at a fundraiser for the North Carolina Democratic Party.
In a 15-minute speech, Bloomberg criticized President Trump for his response to the coronavirus, including the president’s claim Friday in South Carolina that Democrats are politicizing the issue.
Trump "even said he thought [Democrats' criticism of the administration's response] was a Democratic hoax," Bloomberg said. "Look, the president, we know, is not a scientist, and that’s a nice way to put it. He doesn’t even believe in science," Bloomberg said.
The billionaire said the stock market dropped this week, in part "because investors have no confidence that the president is capable of managing the crisis."
Much of Bloomberg’s speech was about his efforts as mayor – and as a philanthropist – to fight climate change and lower gun violence.
He said his fortune is an asset, and he acknowledged that his debating skills are not.
"If you want a debater… I’m not your guy," he said.
Bloomberg's performance in the first two debates has been widely panned.
Bloomberg has invested heavily in North Carolina. He opened his first field office nationwide in Charlotte, and he has nine other offices in the state, and 125 paid staff.
Amy Klobuchar spoke at the Charlotte event after finishing sixth in the South Carolina primary. Her best finish in the first four contests was third in New Hampshire. The Minnesota senator gave no indication that she’s considering dropping out – but her speech ended with a plea for Democrats to unite.
"No matter what happens, when we head into that convention in Milwaukee, we have a mission," Klobuchar said. "In the words of my friend John McCain, the last time I saw him before he died, when he was in his ranch, he showed me the words that said 'There is nothing more liberating than fighting for a cause larger than yourself.'"
The state party’s Blue Celebration also featured Gov. Roy Cooper and other Democratic candidates.
