Update: 18 months after he started signaling that he was probably, definitely going to run, de Blasio has officially launched his campaign.

The New York Post mocked 'hizzoner' with simple, straightforward lede on the paper's story: "He's late - again", mocking the mayor's reputation for tardiness.

The tabloid also devoted its front page to mocking the mayor on Thursday.

NY Post greets de Blasio bid: pic.twitter.com/BOLazL2bWA — Michael Calderone (@mlcalderone) May 16, 2019

De Blasio will appear on 'Good Morning America' Thursday to give his first post-launch interview.

The jokes are already pouring in.

Tomorrow: DeBlasio suspends campaign https://t.co/QbaP0tH8AF — Quoth the Raven (@QTRResearch) May 16, 2019

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"The campaign that nobody asked for" has finally arrived. After weeks of quietly telling reporters that yes, he is serious about running for president, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is preparing to launch his campaign Thursday morning, Fox News reports.

In what might be an attempt on de Blasio's part to signal that he's just as "serious" about the race as the frontrunners, the NYC mayor will follow what has become the standard campaign launch playbook: He will release a video Thursday morning, followed by an appearance on 'Good Morning America'.

According to Fox News, de Blasio would be the 23rd Democrat to enter the primary. Montana Gov. Steve Bullock launched his own candidacy on Wednesday.

De Blasio is persisting with the launch even after many of his current and former employees, supporters and even his own family members have publicly questioned the wisdom of a de Blasio campaign. NYC Democrats have joined with Republicans in publicly grousing about de Blasio running the city from Iowa for the next six months, and it's unclear how he plans to deal with the crumbling subways (though those are technically Cuomo's problem), a homelessness crisis and the worst measles outbreak in decades.

In what will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most desperate campaign stunts in a season that's bound to be filled with them, de Blasio was heckled by a crowd of Trump supporters after he held a press conference promoting New York City's Green New Deal (during the press conference, the mayor threatened the Trump Organization with millions of dollars in fines if its buildings don't comply with the city's new emissions standards).

Following his appearance, he got into it with Eric Trump on twitter.

Spare me? First you have never created a job in your life. Second, our great city has gone to shit under your leadership. Crime is up, the men & women of the NYPD detest you, homelessness is rampant, our streets are dirty and people are leaving our city in record numbers. https://t.co/3Fn1glQJEa — Eric Trump (@EricTrump) May 14, 2019

The unprecedented crush of presidential challengers means the debates and the early primaries will be packed with coverage. Des Moines going to need to bus in temporary housing just to house all the campaign workers who are about to descend on the state. De Blasio has already made several trips to the state.

But with polls consistently ranking him dead last among the candidates with the support of less than 1% of likely Democratic voters, he might not even make it that far before running out of money.