As the countdown to Election Day continues, prominent celebrities, entrepreneurs, and influential business figures have begun to express their support for their preferred presidential candidates. On Wednesday, Mike Bloomberg, a renowned figure in media, politics, and business, announced his endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris.
Bloomberg, who is estimated to have a net worth of nearly $105 billion according to Forbes, shared his decision on a LinkedIn post published on Thursday. He stated, “I voted for Kamala Harris without hesitation,” emphasizing a clear distinction in terms of policy and personal integrity.
Bloomberg’s political career has been extensive. He served three terms as the Mayor of New York City, initially affiliated with the Democratic Party before switching to the Republican Party and later changing his affiliation to Independent during his tenure. He eventually returned to the Democratic Party and launched a self-funded campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination in the 2020 election, spending $935 million. Although he ran the most expensive U.S. presidential primary campaign on record, he ended his campaign in March 2020 after securing just 59 delegates.
Throughout his political career, Bloomberg faced scrutiny from some top-ranking Democrats due to his past association with the Republican Party. One focus of his presidential campaign was his leadership in New York City following the 9/11 attacks, drawing upon an endorsement from Rudy Giuliani, who was the mayor of NYC at the time of the attacks and later served as former President Donald Trump’s personal attorney.
Monica Klein, a founding partner of Seneca Strategies, a progressive political consulting firm, questioned Bloomberg’s intention to lead the Democratic Party, describing it as “unbelievable” in terms of hubris, as she remarked to Politico in 2019.
In business, Bloomberg built a significant media and financial data company, Bloomberg LP, which includes Bloomberg Professional, Bloomberg News, Bloomberg Radio, and Bloomberg Businessweek. This venture began with his work on a computerized financial system for Wall Street investment bank Salomon Brothers in the mid-1960s, eventually leading to the development of the Bloomberg Terminal, a staple in providing real-time market data and business analytics. As of 2023, the private company had reported estimated revenues of $12.5 billion, with 325,000 terminal subscribers and 20,000 employees.
Bloomberg’s close ties to both the business world and politics place him in a unique position. In his LinkedIn post, he expressed admiration for Vice President Harris’s inclusive campaign strategy and her ability to rally voters across party lines with a positive vision for the country.
In a recognition of his multifaceted contributions, Bloomberg was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden. This prestigious award honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States and the broader world.
Beyond politics and business, Bloomberg is also known for his philanthropic efforts. He signed The Giving Pledge in 2010, committing to donating at least half of his fortune. To date, Bloomberg has contributed approximately $17.4 billion to various philanthropic causes.
With the election only five days away, Bloomberg encourages voters from all political backgrounds to consider supporting Vice President Harris. He expresses hope that undecided voters will join him in casting their vote for her.
Additionally, Fortune Global Forum will be held on November 11 and 12 in New York City, bringing together top business leaders, including Fortune 500 CEOs, former Cabinet members, global ambassadors, and renowned figures like seven-time world champion Tom Brady.
