Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced on Wednesday morning that he has re-registered as a Democrat, immediately sparking speculation about his intentions to run for president in 2020.
“At key points in U.S. history, one of the two parties has served as a bulwark against those who threaten our Constitution,” Bloomberg wrote on Instagram. “Two years ago at the Democratic Convention, I warned of those threats. Today, I have re-registered as a Democrat – I had been a member for most of my life – because we need Democrats to provide the checks and balance our nation so badly needs.”
The former mayor’s announcement, of course, quickly led to people discussing whether the registration means he will throw his hat into the ring in what is expected to be a crowded field seeking the Democratic nomination in 2020.
On Instagram, many people commenting on his post seemed elated at the idea of Bloomberg, who has reportedly considered running for the nation’s highest office in the past, making a run for the presidency.
“I’m getting a spot ready on my lawn for the Bloomberg 2020 sign!!!!!!!,” one person wrote.
“Great move! The best NYC mayor !! You got my vote if you run for president, we need someone like you!!” another person wrote.
Numerous other people wrote “Bloomberg 2020” with strings of emojis.
Meanwhile, the reaction was far less enthusiastic on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/mrandrewhaer/status/1049989525890625536
Michael Bloomberg will not be the Democratic 2020 nominee
— the elections will not stop the fascism (@benFranklin2018) October 10, 2018
https://twitter.com/AlisonFrenz/status/1049993661990281217
https://twitter.com/brandon_trush/status/1050008950949773313
https://twitter.com/theabbylauerman/status/1050008676847763456
Last month Bloomberg told the New York Times that, if he were to run for president, he would “have to run as a Democrat.”
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