PHILADELPHIA — Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg blasted Donald Trump as a “dangerous demagogue” and “reckless” choice for president in a forceful endorsement speech Wednesday for Hillary Clinton.

The billionaire political independent cast Trump, his fellow New Yorker, as a failed businessman and a risk to the country.

{mosads}“The bottom line is: Trump is a risky, reckless and radical choice. And we can’t afford to make that choice,” the three-term mayor said. “I know Hillary Clinton is not flawless; no candidate is. But she is the right choice, and the responsible choice, in this election,” he said of the Democratic presidential nominee.

Bloomberg, who has made gun control the centerpiece of his post-mayoral political career, seriously considered mounting his own independent bid for the White House. He decided against the bid when he determined he would not win a race against Clinton and Trump.

“There are times when I disagree with Hillary. But whatever our disagreements may be, I’ve come here to say we must put them aside for the good of our country,” he said. “We must unite around the candidate who can defeat a dangerous demagogue.”

Bloomberg made his pitch directly to voters exhausted by both parties and dissatisfied with their choice in candidates.

“I don’t believe either party has a monopoly on good ideas or strong leadership,” he said. “When I enter the voting booth each time, I look at the candidate, not the party label. Probably not many people in this room can say that, but I know there are many watching at home who can.”

Bloomberg, who became a billionaire with a financial data and media company bearing his name before seeking office, argued that Trump, the GOP presidential nominee, is a far cry from the business titan he claims.

“Through his career, Donald Trump has left behind a well-documented record of bankruptcies, thousands of lawsuits, angry shareholders and contractors who feel cheated, and disillusioned customers who feel ripped off,” he said. “Trump says he wants to run the nation like he’s run his business. God help us.”

He took Trump to task for blasting trade deals on the campaign trail while using overseas manufacturers to produce products bearing his name. He accused him of gaming the U.S. visa system and hiring illegal immigrants while vowing to deport them if elected president.

“Truth be told, the richest thing about Donald Trump is his hypocrisy,” he said.