Michael Bloomberg, Donald Trump Campaigns Unveil Super Bowl Ad Spots — Update

Ted Johnson
·3 min read

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UPDATE, 9:02 AM PT: President Donald Trump’s campaign unveiled the first of two 30-second Super Bowl ads, just a couple hours after his potential 2020 rival Michael Bloomberg debuted his own spot that will air during the Sunday game.

Each campaign is spending more than $10 million for the ad time, likely the priciest of the year to reach what is traditionally the largest TV audience.

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The Trump ad focuses on the economy, and after a narrator says, “America demanded change,” the first voice heard is that of CNN’s Wolf Blitzer. It’s a bit ironic given Trump’s attacks on the network. The narrator talks about rising wages and job growth, particularly for African Americans and Hispanics. Trump ends by saying, “And ladies and gentlemen, the best is yet to come.”

The ad is one of two 30-second spots that the Trump campaign plans to run during the Super Bowl, in which ad time is going for a reported $5.5 million to $5.6 million for half-minute. The Trump campaign said that the other spot will not be released ahead of time.

PREVIOUSLY: The presidential campaign of former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg unveiled its 60-second, $10-million-plus Super Bowl ad on Thursday, a spot that focuses on gun violence.

The ad, called “George,” debuted on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, and features Calandrian Simpson Kemp, whose 20-year-old son was shot in Texas in 2013. The campaign said that the spot “highlights the urgent need to prevent gun violence in America and why Mike is the candidate to get it done.”

“When I heard Mike was stepping into the ring, I thought, ‘Now we have a dog in the fight.’ I know Mike is not afraid of the gun lobby,” Kemp said.

One of Bloomberg’s signature issues is gun reform, as he founded the group Everytown for Gun Safety and has backed candidates who pledge to support a series of measures including expanded background checks.

The Trump campaign also has purchased 60 seconds of time during Sunday’s game, which will air on Fox. Ad rates for the event – which typically draws the largest viewership of the year – are reportedly going for $5.5 million and $5.6 million.

Bloomberg is in Washington, DC, on Thursday, where he is expected to appear with Mayor Muriel Bowser, who announced that she is endorsing his campaign.

 

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