Mike Bloomberg Addresses Nation on Coronavirus in 3-minute Paid TV Ad

Then- Democratic presidential candidate, former New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg speaks during a campaign rally at Hangar 9 in San Antonio, Texas, on March 1, 2020. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Democratic candidate Mike Bloomberg’s presidential campaign ran a three-minute prime-time TV ad on March 1 in which he addressed the nation about the threat of coronavirus.

The New York Times reported the billionaire may have paid between $1.25 to $3 million for the ad which ran around 8:30 p.m. ET on CBS and NBC during “God Friended Me.” The Epoch Times has been unable to confirm the cost of the ad.

In the ad, the former New York City mayor can be seen standing in a room surrounded by flags while he wears a black suit and an American flag pin.

“I know this has been a very worrisome week for many Americans,” Bloomberg begins. “The coronavirus is spreading, and the economy is taking a hit. Markets have fallen because of uncertainty. At times like this, it’s the job of the president to reassure the public that he or she is taking all of the necessary steps to protect the health and well-being of every citizen.”

“The public wants to know their leader is trained, informed, and respected. When a problem arises, they want someone in charge who can marshal facts and expertise to confront the problem. They want him or her to prepare for events like this in advance with teams of experts. Communications must be honest and transparent so people can be confident that professionals are in charge. Trust is essential.”

The billionaire then says that “politics and partnerships” must be “put aside” to allow the federal government to work in close partnership with state and local leaders who administer services and deploy first responders.

Speaking about his time as mayor of New York City between 2001 and 2013, Bloomberg says he dealt with “a hurricane, a blackout, attempted terror attacks, the West Nile virus, and swine flu.”

Although Bloomberg made no specific mention of President Trump during his ad, Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said the president is “effectively managing the coronavirus situation and has placed the United States ahead of the curve in its comprehensive response.”

“Mike Bloomberg is shamelessly politicizing the issue and only further exposing himself as an unserious candidate. He’s a joke,” he added.

Bloomberg’s TV ad comes shortly after officials in Washington announced a second person infected with coronavirus had died in the Seattle area. The man in his 70s had underlying health conditions.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo also announced on March 1 that the first case of coronavirus has been confirmed after a woman in her 30s contracted the virus during a recent trip to Iran. She is now in quarantine in her home and has “respiratory symptoms, but is not in serious condition and has been in a controlled situation since arriving in New York,” he said.

Two people in the Tampa Bay area have also tested “presumptively positive” for COVID-19, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced in a statement on March 1. The individuals from Hillsborough County and Manatee County are both being cared for by health officials, and the CDC is currently working to confirm the results for both individuals, the Florida Department of Health said.

DeSantis has issued an executive order taking immediate effect to direct the state health officer and surgeon general, Dr. Scott Rivkees, to declare a public health emergency in the state. The governor said he authorized Rivkees to take “any action necessary to protect the public health.”