Howard Stern says President Trump Donald John TrumpBarr criticizes DOJ in speech declaring all agency power 'is invested in the attorney general' Military leaders asked about using heat ray on protesters outside White House: report Powell warns failure to reach COVID-19 deal could 'scar and damage' economy MORE secretly "loves" Michael Bloomberg Michael BloombergThe Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Latest with the COVID-19 relief bill negotiations The Memo: 2020 is all about winning Florida The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - Trump, Biden renew push for Latino support MORE — and that’s why he doesn’t want to run against the former New York City mayor.

"I've talked to Donald a million times privately about Bloomberg. We both agree that he was one of the best f---ing mayors on the planet," Stern told listeners Monday on his eponymous SiriusXM radio show.

"Donald loves Bloomberg," Stern said of the 2020 Democratic presidential candidate. "That's why he doesn't want him running."

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"He knows how strong the guy is," added Stern, who hosted Trump frequently on his show before the real estate developer entered the political arena and has said he considers him a friend. "He loves him. We all love him. Donald would even say, 'He's better than I am.'"

"It would be a hell of a debate," Stern said, imagining a showdown between Trump and Bloomberg. "I'm telling you, people who are for Trump would vote for Bloomberg."

"Trump will vote for Bloomberg!" Stern exclaimed. "I'm not joking."

Stern, 66, heaped praise on the billionaire, calling him a "phenomenal mayor."

"Anyone who lived in this city saw what I'm talking about," said Stern, who was born in the Empire State and is a longtime resident.

Reflecting on last week's Democratic presidential debate in Nevada, during which several White House hopefuls attacked Bloomberg and his self-funded presidential campaign, Stern said, "I don't need a debater. I need somebody with a track record who can run things, who's got the Midas touch."

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"You know who else is a huge Bloomberg fan? Donald Trump," said Stern.

The radio show host also blasted the current Democratic front-runner, Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersSenate Republicans signal openness to working with Biden Hillicon Valley: DOJ indicts Chinese, Malaysian hackers accused of targeting over 100 organizations | GOP senators raise concerns over Oracle-TikTok deal | QAnon awareness jumps in new poll Schumer, Sanders call for Senate panel to address election security MORE (I-Vt.), quipping that he’s like "Karl Marx Jr." and saying he doubted the lawmaker could win in a race against Trump.

"I don't believe whatever Bernie's calling himself, a socialist Democrat, can win the general election," said Stern.

"It's just weird to me. I don't know what's going on, but I'll tell you what: If their main objective is to get Trump out of the White House, I think they're blowing it," Stern said of Democrats.

"And I like Bernie. Don't get me wrong," Stern added. "I don't think Bernie's a bad dude. I just don't think he can win."

Neither the Bloomberg nor the Sanders campaign immediately responded to ITK's request for comment.

—Updated at 5:54 p.m.