Democratic presidential hopefuls at debate in Las Vegas
Democratic presidential hopefuls at debate in Las VegasReuters

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg came under heavy fire during his first Democratic presidential debate on Wednesday, with his rivals leaping to attack him as a billionaire copy of President Donald Trump.

Bloomberg, who qualified for the debate after coming in at 19 percent in a new poll, seemed nervous and hesitant as he made his debut at the debate, which took place in Las Vegas ahead of Saturday’s caucuses.

Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Amy Klobuchar, Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg lined up to attack Bloomberg, accusing him of trying to buy his way into the White House and saying his record as mayor and a businessman would lead the party to defeat in November, according to Reuters.

“We’re running against a billionaire who calls women fat broads and horse-face lesbians,” said Warren. “And, no, I’m not talking about Donald Trump, I’m talking about Mayor Bloomberg.”

“Democrats take a huge risk if we just substitute one arrogant billionaire for another,” she warned.

Bloomberg, who entered the race in November and is skipping the first four early voting states in February to focus on later nominating contests in March, said he did not inherit his money, but made it as a businessman.

“I’m spending that money to get rid of Donald Trump – the worst president we’ve ever had. And if I can get that done, it will be a great contribution to America and to my kids,” he said.

Both Warren and Biden pushed Bloomberg on his treatment of women and asked him to commit to releasing women who had signed nondisclosure agreements to settle lawsuits. Bloomberg refused.

Sanders criticized Bloomberg’s support for “stop-and-frisk” police policies as mayor. Bloomberg responded by saying he was “worried” and “embarrassed” about his support for stop and frisk and said he had apologized for supporting it.