Bloomberg camp responds to 2016 audio of ex-mayor calling Obama endorsement 'backhanded,' Warren 'scary'

Mike Bloomberg's campaign said Monday that a re-surfaced 2016 audio recording where the billionaire called Democratic rival Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., "scary" and criticized President Barack Obama's first term were a combination of jokes and explanations to "make our government better."

The comments were made during a 2016 Goldman Sachs event at Yankee Stadium. Bloomberg called Warren "scary" and said his 2012 endorsement of Obama was "backhanded." Fox News has confirmed the authenticity of the recording, which was first reported by CNN.

"The left is arising. The progressive movement is just as scary," Bloomberg said in the audio. "Elizabeth Warren on one side. And whoever you want to pick on the Republicans on the right side?"

The former New York City mayor has been a frequent target of Warren and other Democratic candidates since he began moving up in polls in recent weeks while funding his campaign with millions of his own money. In last week's Democratic debate in Las Vegas, Bloomberg was called out over his tenure as mayor because of the controversial stop and frisk policy that negatively impacted many New Yorkers of color.

(FOX NEWS)