President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE mocked 2020 Democratic presidential contender Pete Buttigieg Pete ButtigiegThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - GOP closes ranks to fill SCOTUS vacancy by November Buttigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice Hillicon Valley: FBI, DHS warn that foreign hackers will likely spread disinformation around election results | Social media platforms put muscle into National Voter Registration Day | Trump to meet with Republican state officials on tech liability shield MORE (D) during a campaign rally in Florida on Wednesday, saying he would "want to watch" the South Bend, Ind., mayor take on the Chinese president.

At the rally, Trump mockingly floated Buttigieg’s name while attacking other 2020 Democratic contenders, including Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersOutrage erupts over Breonna Taylor grand jury ruling Dimon: Wealth tax 'almost impossible to do' Grand jury charges no officers in Breonna Taylor death MORE (I-Vt.) and former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Democratic groups using Bloomberg money to launch M in Spanish language ads in Florida Harris faces pivotal moment with Supreme Court battle MORE.

ADVERTISEMENT

"You got a choice between Sleepy Joe and Crazy Bernie," Trump said. "And I’ll take any of them. Let's just pick somebody, please, and let’s start this thing. Let’s start it."

"We have a young man, Buttigieg," Trump continued while attempting to sound out the mayor’s last name. "Boot-edge-edge. They say 'edge-edge.'"

"He’s got a great chance. He’ll be great. He’ll be great representing us against President Xi of China," he said to laughs from audience. "That’ll be great."

"I want to be in that room. I want to watch that one," he continued.

Trump previously speculated that he may end up campaigning against either of those three candidates in the 2020 race.

Last month, in his first public acknowledgement of Buttigieg, the president said he would welcome the chance to run against the 37-year-old mayor.

"I think I'd like running against him, too," Trump said of Buttigieg. "But it'll be interesting to see it unfold."

In recent polling, Biden and Sanders have led the crowded field of 2020 Democratic presidential contenders. However, Buttigieg has seen a surge of popularity in polling in the past few weeks since launching his presidential campaign.