Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg Michael BloombergTop Democratic super PAC launches Florida ad blitz after Bloomberg donation The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Latest with the COVID-19 relief bill negotiations The Memo: 2020 is all about winning Florida MORE in a new interview presented himself as the best-positioned 2020 Democratic candidate to appeal to moderate Republicans and defeat President Trump Donald John TrumpHR McMaster says president's policy to withdraw troops from Afghanistan is 'unwise' Cast of 'Parks and Rec' reunite for virtual town hall to address Wisconsin voters Biden says Trump should step down over coronavirus response MORE.

“One of the reasons I’m reasonably confident I could beat Trump is I would be acceptable to the moderate Republicans you have to have,” Bloomberg, who first ran for mayor as a Republican before switching to an independent over the course of his 12 years in office, told Reuters on Saturday.

“Whether you like it or not, you can’t win the election unless you get moderate Republicans to cross the line. The others are much too liberal for them and they would certainly vote for Donald Trump,” he added, according to the news service.

ADVERTISEMENT

Bloomberg, a late entrant into the race, made the remarks in San Antonio, Texas as part of a bus tour through states that will vote on Super Tuesday, where he hopes to compete after sitting out the first round of primaries and caucuses.

The former mayor has spent $37 million on advertising, prompting accusations by competitors to his left, such as Sen. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenWarren, Schumer introduce plan for next president to cancel ,000 in student debt The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Don't expect a government check anytime soon No new taxes for the ultra rich — fix bad tax policy instead MORE (D-Mass.), of attempting to buy the election.

“These are just political things they say, hoping they catch on and they don’t like me doing it, because it competes with them, not because it’s bad policy,” Bloomberg told Reuters in response to the criticisms.

“Number one priority is to get rid of Donald Trump. I’m spending all my money to get rid of Trump,” he said. “Do you want me to spend more or less? End of story.”