NEW: Campaign officials tell @NBCNews that Mike Bloomberg will *NOT* stand on a box during tonight’s debate, despite Trump’s repeated claims that he requested one to boost his height

— Josh Lederman (@JoshNBCNews) February 19, 2020

Before the ninth Democratic presidential debate, Trump heckles Bloomberg by claiming that he has requested a box to stand on during the debate. Trump’s insinuation is that Bloomberg’s short stature is evidence of a lack of masculinity, something that Trump leverages as a necessary credential to be president. Bloomberg campaign officials felt it necessary to issue a statement to media to confirm that Bloomberg will not be standing on a box to boost his height during the debate.