The American people have spoken: Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are headed to the White House. The Upper West Side on Saturday looked like scenes I had only seen overseas on CNN. The same celebrations were occurring all over the world. As Colin Jost said on SNL, "Do you know how bad you have to be for Paris to ring church bells when you lose?"
Biden and Harris are on track to win more votes than any presidential ticket in American history in an election with record voter turnout.
We've been proud to play a part.
As Mike Bloomberg said on Saturday: “The American people have elected a leader in Joe Biden who ran promising to bring our country back together. He and Kamala Harris will have my full support as they work to do that.”
From the start, Mike’s number one goal has been to make sure the Democrats won this election.
And that's exactly what happened: Mike invested more than $115 million to support Biden and forced the Trump campaign to defend Florida, Texas and Ohio instead of Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. He transferred $18 million to the Democratic National Committee, the largest in party history. He invested $35 million in digital infrastructure through Hawkfish that allowed progressives to compete with Republican efforts, including digital campaigns to register voters across Pennsylvania and the Midwest. And Mike ran $275 million in anti-Trump ads during the Democratic Primary.
And in addition to all that, Mike donated over $20 million to fight voter suppression and protect voter rights during the general election election. This work included supporting Stacey Abrams' Fair Fight to protect voter rights which no doubt has had an impact as the New York Times reports, especially in Georgia where Biden-Harris are leading. And recently Mike donated an additional $2 million to legal efforts to defend the election results.
This work helped re-enfranchise voters across the country in a way that will leave a lasting mark for generations to come.
Moments after Biden was announced as President-Elect Saturday morning:
“Let’s give each other a chance. It’s time to put away the harsh rhetoric. To lower the temperature,” Biden said in his Saturday night speech. “To make progress, we must stop treating our opponents as our enemy. We are not enemies. We are Americans.” Watch it here.
"Every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities," Harris said in her speech. Watch it here.
As Meridith Webster writes us: "This whole climate list looks like 'we are going to take what Mike Bloomberg has been doing and fold it into the federal government'."
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson: "The U.S. is our most important ally and I look forward to working closely together on our shared priorities, from climate change to trade and security."
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern: "With so many issues facing the international community, your message of unity is one we share. New Zealand looks forward to working with you both!"
Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel: "I look forward to working with President Biden. Our transatlantic friendship is indispensable if we are to deal with the major challenges of our time."
India Prime Minister Narendra Modi: "Congratulations Joe Biden on your spectacular victory! As the VP, your contribution to strengthening Indo-US relations was critical and invaluable. I look forward to working closely together once again to take India-US relations to greater heights."
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: "Joe, we’ve had a long and warm personal relationship for nearly 40 years, and I know you as a great friend of Israel. I look forward to working with both of you to further strengthen the special alliance between the U.S. and Israel."
Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau: “Our shared geography, common interests, deep personal connections, and strong economic ties make us close friends, partners, and allies. We will further build on this foundation as we continue to keep our people safe and healthy from the impacts of the global COVID-19 pandemic, and work to advance peace and inclusion, economic prosperity, and climate action around the world."
South Korea President Moon Jae-in: "Our alliance is strong and the bond between our two countries is rock-solid. I very much look forward to working with you for our shared values."
When I first started this newsletter in 2017, my aim was to connect the dots of the Bloomberg universe — highlighting news from Bloomberg LP and Mike Bloomberg's business and philanthropic efforts.
And I wanted to highlight stories that were important to our business, our employees and our customers.
The idea was to shine a light on — and offer solutions to — some of the most pressing issues of our time.
That's what you can expect when the Daily Read returns after a short break.
Coming Nov. 16: Bloomberg New Economy Forum.
In the first major global convening of business and political leaders since the U.S. election, more than 500 current and former heads of state, influential business executives, global government officials, academics and experts will come together at the virtual 2020 Bloomberg New Economy Forum November 16-19.
Now in its third year, the forum will bring leaders together to help redesign key parts of the global economy after the ravages of Covid-19.
Mike Bloomberg will open the event, at which speakers include:
Dr. Henry A. Kissinger, forum Honorary Chair
Henry M. Paulson Jr., forum Co-Chair
Zeng Peiyan, forum Co-Chair
Keisha Lance Bottoms, Mayor, City of Atlanta
Anne Wojcicki, Chief Executive Officer, 23andMe
Linfa Wang, Professor, Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School
Stéphane Bancel, Chief Executive Officer, Moderna
Joey Zwillinger, Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer, Allbirds
Read more here and click here to sign up to receive updates and information on where to watch.
QuickTake service will cover general interest and lifestyle news, starting with 10-and-a-half hours of daily programming.
Best of 'SNL.'
"Saturday Night Live" opened with Joe Biden (Jim Carrey) and Kamala Harris (Maya Rudolph) gloating during their victory speeches, followed by Donald Trump (Alec Baldwin) protesting that the election had been stolen from him — then hitting the piano for a version of the Village People’s "Macho Man." Watch it here.
"Weekend Update" offered more on Biden becoming the President-Elect on Saturday:
“Remember that ‘Shawshank Redemption’ scene when the dudes are drinking beers on the roof? They were still in prison, but for one day, everything just felt OK. That’s how I feel now.”
-- Michael Che
“It’s already Saturday and the only candidate who’s conceded is Kanye West. It is never a good thing when Kanye accepts reality faster than you do.” -- Colin Jost
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