Trump mocks Gillibrand after exit: 'She was the one I was really afraid of!'

President TrumpDonald TrumpNoem touts South Dakota coronavirus response, knocks lockdowns in CPAC speech On The Trail: Cuomo and Newsom — a story of two embattled governors McCarthy: 'I would bet my house' GOP takes back lower chamber in 2022 MORE mocked Sen. Kirsten GillibrandKirsten GillibrandPentagon launches civilian-led commission to address military sexual assault Capito asks White House to allow toxic chemicals rule to proceed Lobbying world MORE (D-N.Y.) less than an hour after she dropped out of the Democratic presidential primary race. 

“A sad day for the Democrats, Kirsten Gillibrand has dropped out of the Presidential Primary. I’m glad they never found out that she was the one I was really afraid of!,” Trump tweeted Wednesday.

A sad day for the Democrats, Kirsten Gillibrand has dropped out of the Presidential Primary. I’m glad they never found out that she was the one I was really afraid of!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 28, 2019 

Trump's remarks came shortly after Gillibrand announced she was ending her campaign, leaving the field with 20 candidates.

Gillibrand's decision also came hours before the deadline to qualify for the September primary debate. The New York Democrat had not met the criteria to appear on next month's debate stage.

“I know this isn't the result we wanted. We wanted to win this race," Gillibrand said in a video posted to Twitter. "But it's important to know when it's not your time and to know how you can best serve your community and country. I believe I can best serve by helping to unite us to beat Donald Trump in 2020.

Gillibrand, who has long advocated for victims of sexual assault, faced backlash over her past calls for former Sen. Al FrankenAlan (Al) Stuart FrankenHarrison seen as front-runner to take over DNC at crucial moment The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by the UAE Embassy in Washington, DC - Trump, Biden clash over transition holdup, pandemic plans The Hill's Morning Report - Fearing defeat, Trump claims 'illegal' ballots MORE (D-Minn.) to resign amid allegations of sexual misconduct. The New York senator similarly took on Trump, calling for his resignation over allegations of sexual assault. 

Gillibrand, who centered her campaign on promoting policies she said would benefit women, ultimately failed to gain traction in the crowded field of 2020 contenders. She struggled during her campaign to poll consistently above 1 percent in most national and statewide surveys.

Some polls, meanwhile, have shown the primary race's front-runners — former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenNoem touts South Dakota coronavirus response, knocks lockdowns in CPAC speech On The Trail: Cuomo and Newsom — a story of two embattled governors Biden celebrates vaccine approval but warns 'current improvement could reverse' MORE and Sens. Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenExclusive: How Obama went to bat for Warren Minimum wage setback revives progressive calls to nix Senate filibuster Democratic strategists start women-run media consulting firm MORE (D-Mass.) and Bernie SandersBernie SandersHouse Democrats pass sweeping .9T COVID-19 relief bill with minimum wage hike House set for tight vote on COVID-19 relief package On The Money: Democrats scramble to save minimum wage hike | Personal incomes rise, inflation stays low after stimulus burst MORE (I-Vt.) — beating Trump in hypothetical 2020 match-ups.