Trump knocks 2020 candidates as Sanders builds early lead in Nevada

President Trump knocked several 2020 Democrats as Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) secured a victory in Nevada’s caucuses Saturday.

Trump particularly went after former Vice President Joe Biden, who he said looked “weak” and attacked former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg over his faulty debate performance earlier this week. 

“Looks like Crazy Bernie is doing well in the Great State of Nevada. Biden & the rest look weak, & no way Mini Mike can restart his campaign after the worst debate performance in the history of Presidential Debates. Congratulations Bernie, & don’t let them take it away from you!” Trump tweeted. 

Looks like Crazy Bernie is doing well in the Great State of Nevada. Biden & the rest look weak, & no way Mini Mike can restart his campaign after the worst debate performance in the history of Presidential Debates. Congratulations Bernie, & don’t let them take it away from you!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 22, 2020

The tweet came as Sanders built a more than 35-point lead in Nevada, with 3.2 percent of precincts reporting. The Associated Press and several television outlets called the contest for the Vermont lawmaker shortly after caucusing closed in the Silver State.

Sanders has ridden a surge of momentum after strong showings in both the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary, with observers speculating he could soon amass an insurmountable delegate lead with continued successes.

Meanwhile, Biden has seen his poll numbers drop since his fourth- and fifth-place showings in the first two nominating contests, a showing that could work against his claims that he is the most electable Democrat in the field and the Democrat who can beat Trump in November.

Bloomberg has also seen a polling surge on the back of an advertising blitz and investments of hundreds of millions of his own dollars in Super Tuesday states. However, the billionaire has found himself on the back foot in recent days after he was attacked by fellow candidates in this week’s primary debate over his past comments about women and the controversial stop-and-frisk policy.

The president has focused much of his criticism on Biden and Bloomberg, both of whom are casting themselves as electable centrists and who claim they will perform better in November than a progressive like Sanders.