Snapping at reporters used to be one of Michael Bloomberg’s favorite pastimes, but these days the former mayor doesn’t have as many opportunities to berate the press. That may explain why he went off on Wolf Blitzer in Israel tonight during an interview about his decision to defy the FAA’s temporary ban on flying into Ben Gurion International Airport. “I think the State Department is just overreacting in typical bureaucratic fashion,” Bloomberg said. “Political reasons for that?” Blitzer asked. “Why would you think that … don’t be ridiculous,” Bloomberg replied. “It’s an outrage for you to accuse one of our agencies.”
Blitzer tried to interject that his question wasn’t meant to be accusatory, so Bloomberg continued going after him. Per Politico:
“By asking the question you’re implying that our government does things for political reasons, and maybe once in a while they do, but it’s your job to prove it,” Bloomberg said. “Just the allegation against our government, I personally take as an offense.”
Wolf replied, “I’m just asking if you thought there was some political motive behind the travel advisory or the FAA, because a lot of people in Israel do.”
“I don’t know, you don’t know and the other people don’t know, but just the tone of the question is trying to create dissension, it’s insulting to America,” Bloomberg said.
A short time later, Bloomberg was interviewed by Fox News’s Neil Cavuto, who asked if he would be interested in buying CNN in the event that Rupert Murdoch acquires Time Warner and is forced to get rid of CNN. “I can’t think of why we would be interested in buying CNN. We’ve got a business, we’ve got to reinvest in our business and work very hard. I just did an interview in the same building with Wolf Blitzer on CNN. A lot of people like CNN, a lot of people watch it. Ted Turner had a great concept when he started it,” Bloomberg replied. When pressed for an answer, he said, “You never say never, but in this case I can say probably never.” Wolf Blitzer can breathe a little easier tonight.
