Mike Bloomberg’s partner has said that people concerned about the presidential hopeful’s history of sexual harassment claims should: “Get over it.”
Diana Taylor, who has been in a relationship with Mr Bloomberg since 2000, defended the billionaire’s use of nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) at his company on Monday evening, after a “Women for Mike” rally in Texas.
Speaking to CBS News, Ms Taylor said: “It was 30 years ago. Get over it.”
“In none of them was he accused of doing anything other than saying something nasty to a woman. That is not who he is. Life has changed,” she said.
She added: “I grew up in that world. It was a bro culture. We have come a very, very long way and Michael Bloomberg has been at the forefront of that change.”
Erin McPike, a spokesperson for Ms Taylor, told CBS News that the comments reflected Ms Taylor's personal views.
“Diana offered her personal view from her forty years working in finance, not the view of the campaign,” Ms McPike said.
Ms Taylor is the former New York State superintendent of banks and was the de facto first lady of New York City when Mr Bloomberg was mayor from 2002 to 2013.
Mr Bloomberg struggled in his first appearance in a Democratic primary debate last week. Senator Elizabeth Warren confronted him not just about the NDAs, but also comments he allegedly made about female employees, including referring to them as “fat broads” and “horse-faced lesbians”.
Since the debate Mr Bloomberg has announced that he will release women from three NDAs, allowing them the opportunity to speak about any discrimination they suffered when working for him.
